McDowell County Oral History Archives Project off to a Great Start-----Mt View High School Media Class Receives Contribution from TBAI

On April 9th, during the Ashland Company Store Grand Opening in Ashland WV, Travel Beautiful Appalachia, Inc. (TBAI) and the Mt View High School Media Class came together to begin the first of “many to be” Oral History Archive Project.
It is a collaborative work between TBAI and the Mt View High School Media Class to begin a McDowell County Oral History DVD Archive which will consist of interviews from past and present generations in an effort to preserve the history, legends, and cultural stories of McDowell County.
Using local student volunteers from Mt. View High School, area residents (past and present), and the Ashland Company Store Computer Lab, the Oral History interviews began its first phase of the archives. Mr. Nick Mason (Northfork Mayor), Ms. Mary Jane Kiss Ryner, Mr. Walt Wilson, Mr. Johnny Monarchy, and Jay Chatman were the first interviewees to give the history and the personal stories of their life in McDowell County. Under the direction of Mr. Bill Hornick, Media Teacher at Mt View High School, the media class student volunteers, which consisted of Patrick Keys, Miranda Edwards, and Deonte Marshall, successfully completed the first 5 oral history interviews.
“Talking about times past comes so easily”, said Debbie Bailey. “In just a few minutes of conversation with any local, you can learn of the heritage and history of McDowell County and hear the most interesting coal camp stories that could keep your attention for hours”.  Volume 1 of the archives is now complete and is now available for viewing and can be purchased at the Ashland Company Store in Ashland WV. Projections for Volume 2 are underway and anyone interested in becoming part of the McDowell County Oral History Archives should contact Debbie Bailey, Business Development Manager for TBAI, at 862-4800.
TBAI presented Mt View High School Media Class with a $500 contribution for their work and effort in the McDowell County Oral History Archive DVD.

Pictured from left to right is Jay Chatman, Debbie Bailey (Business Development Manger, TBAI) Mr. Bill Hornick (Media Teacher, Mt View High School) and students Deonte Marshall & Patrick Keys. (Miranda Edwards was unavailable for photo).  Photo taken by Debbie Green