Interview with George W. Edwards, November 19, 2008

Interview Summary

George W. Edwards, born in 1938, describes the African American community on Deweese Street in Lexington, Kentucky as he knew it during his youth, discussing local businesses and entertainment venues such as the Lyric Theatre. He discusses the work he has done throughout his life, including managing Chinese restaurants, serving in the Army, working at manufacturing company Square D, and pastoring several churches. After giving more details regarding his early years on Deweese Street, Edwards discusses his children, and his aunt with whom he spent much of his childhood, and he concludes by arguing that desegregation and integration harmed the entrepreneurial spirit and education of African Americans in Lexington.

Interview Keyword

African American neighborhoods Chinese restaurants Churches Deweese Street East End Lexington, Ky. East End neighborhood Horse trainers Lyric Theatre Pastor Edwards Race relations Segregation United States Army

Interview LC Subject

African American families African Americans--Social conditions Edwards, George W., 1938-2012 Edwards, George W., 1938-2012--Interviews Lexington (Ky.). African Americans African Americans--Race identity

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 be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.