Interview with Helen Garner, November 8, 1991

Interview Summary

This is the first of two interviews with Helen Garner. Garner discusses the Simmons School for African American students, saying it was terrible. Their books and uniforms were second-hand from the white school. One side of her family owned the house by the college. Her grandparents had to live frugally to project an impression of wealth. She goes on to describe their clothing and what their daily meals were, as well as what her parents did for a living. She describes some family history, including a lynching. She describes the social circles and clubs of the women, as well as the church as a community. She discusses how her parents disciplined them.

Interview Keyword

Midway, Kentucky African American families Black people African Americans Black families Education

Interview LC Subject

Midway (Ky.) Kentucky--History African American history Education Segregation in education Discrimination in education Racism Lynching Family history Women--Societies and clubs Churches African American Methodists African Americans--Social conditions

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.