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Tanbark industry in the Shenandoah Valley oral histories

 Collection
Identifier: SdArch 4
  • Not requestable

  • Staff Only

Scope and Content

Tanbark Industry in the Shenandoah Valley Oral Histories, 1987, 1991, is comprised of audio interviews, transcripts, and a background paper, documenting the history of the bark peeling industry in the Shenandoah Valley. The collection includes interviews that explore the various processes used to produce leather, including references to the peeling, grinding and extracting of bark to yield the tannin (tannic acid) which was used to tan animals skins and hides. The interviews focus specifically on the mills, extract factories and tanneries in the Shenandoay Valley, including the Timberville extract factory, and the Ziegler, Elkton and Houck tanneries of Rockingham County, Virginia.

Dates

  • Creation: 1987
  • Creation: 1991

Creator

Access Restrictions

Access to the Oral Histories is governed by agreements with the narrators. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Conditions Governing Use

The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Bio/Historical Note

Two of the oral histories were created by Mia Barb, an undergraduate at JMU, who completed the project as an intern in Special Collections during the summer of 1991. The internship was a joint project between the Carrier Library, Special Collections and the U.S. Forest Service. The oral history interview with D.D. Wilkins was conducted by Chris Bolgiano, head of Special Collections, and John Coleman, who worked for the U.S. Forest Service.

Extent

0.25 cubic feet (4 folders, 4 audiocassettes, 3 cds)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Tanbark Industry in the Shenandoah Valley Oral Histories, 1987, 1991, is comprised of audio interviews, transcripts, photographs, and a background paper, documenting the history of the bark peeling industry in the Shenandoah Valley.

Acquisition Information

Collection was donated in 1991 by Mia Barb.

Processing Information

Collection was cataloged at the item level in 1991; the descriptive metadata was compiled into a Finding Aid format in 2019. Cassette tapes were transferred to MAMA-R 700MB gold cd-r using Tascam cc-222 mkII; 618mb. Audio recordings were digitized by Kirsten Mlodynia, Digital Project Specialist at JMU Libraries in July 2018.

Source

Title
A Guide to the Tanbark Industry in the Shenandoah Valley Oral Histories, 1987, 1991
Author
JMU Cataloging
Date
1991
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the James Madison University Libraries Special Collections Repository

Contact:
820 Madison Drive
MSC 1706
Harrisonburg Virginia 22807
(540) 568-3612