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James Madison University Libraries Special Collections
880 Madison DriveMSC 1704
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
Telephone: (540) 568-3612
library-special@jmu.edu
URL: https://www.lib.jmu.edu/special/
JMU Cataloging
Administrative Information
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).
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.
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Tanbark Industry in the Shenandoah Valley Oral Histories, 1987, 1991, SdArch 4, Special Collections, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.
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.
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.
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.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Barb, Mia
- Bark -- Harvesting
- Bark -- Virginia -- Rockingham County
- Bark peeling -- Economic aspects
- Bark peeling -- Environmental aspects
- Industries -- Virginia -- Rockingham County -- Sources
- Leather industry and trade -- Virginia -- Rockingham County
- Tanneries -- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.)
- Tanneries -- Virginia -- Rockingham County
- Tanners -- Virginia -- Rockingham County
- Tanning -- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.)
- Tanning -- Virginia -- Rockingham County
- oral histories (literary works)
Significant Persons Associated With the Collection
- Barb, Mia
- Bolgiano, Chris
- Coleman, John
Container List
13-leaf monograph describes the tanning industry in the United States and in particular the Shenandoah Valley. Both general information about the industry and specifics about the tanbark process are included. The various processes used to produce leather are described, 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. References are made to American tanneries in general; specific information is supplied about bark mills, extract factories and tanneries in the Valley--including the Timberville extract (ooze) factory, and the Ziegler, Elkton and Houck tanneries of Rockingham County, Virginia. Transcription summary and letters are related to an interview with Mrs. Lettie Albrite and niece (Ms. Turner-Ritchie) conducted by Mia Barb, at Camelot Nursing Home, Harrisonburg, Va. on March 29, 1991. Refers to Mrs. Albrite's reminiscences of the bark extracting factory at Timberville, Va.; mentions Gen. John Roller, owner. Full transcription and tape of this interview are unavailable.
This interview records the reminiscences of Mr. Yankey's days as a bark peeler of chestnut oak and hemlock in the Allegheny mountains in areas around Petersburg, Moorefield, Franklin, Cheat Mt., Cass, and Lost City, W. Va. Describes the process of peeling and transporting the bark. Mentions social life and medical care in camps. Refers to paper mill strike in Davis; work in the Timberville, Va. Peach Cannery. Recorded at the home of Mr. Leecy Yankey of Bergton, Va. on Feb. 26, 1991.
Oral history is open for research.
The copyright interests were transferred to Carrier Library.
- Mixed Materials [1000898332] box: 1 folder: 2
Transcript and Supporting DocumentsFebruary 26, 1991
This interview records the reminiscences of Mr. Barb's days as a bark peeler of black, red and white oak in the Allegheny mountains region of Rockingham County, Va., in particular Little Turley Mt. Describes the process of peeling and transporting bark including detailed information on how draft animals (horses and mules) were used. Mentions social life, etc. in the camps. Worked for Neff Lumber Mills at Skidmore Fork Lumber Camp, etc. Recorded at the home of Mr. Kale Barb of Fairway Hills, Harrisonburg, Va. on March 9, 1991
Oral history is open for research.
The copyright interests have been transferred to Carrier Library.
- Mixed Materials [1000898332] box: 1 folder: 3
Transcript and Supporting DocumentsMarch 9, 1991
This interview records the reminiscences of Mr. Wilkins' (D.D. "Hun") days as a bark peeler of chestnut oak and hemlock in the Alleghenny mountains of West Virginia, especially in and around Lost River (also Stump's Run, Moorefield, Lost City and Trout Run). Mentions chestnut blight; blizzard of April 27, 1928. Mentions the Maryland-W. Va. Lumber Co., Natrick Lumber Co. and Williamsport, Md. Tannery. Reminiscences about conditions in the camps
The oral history is open for research.
The copyright interests have been transferred to Carrier Library.
- Mixed Materials [1000898332] box: 1 folder: 4
Transcript and Supporting DocumentsSeptember 25, 1987