In this project Melissa Dietrich interviewed Willadean Hylton. Originally the purpose of this interview was to learn more about young girls being hired out to work for members of the community, but as the interview proceeded, it changed to be more about the life and times of
Ms. Hylton. She spoke of how her family grew what food they ate, how young children worked on the family farm as soon as they were able, ways the young children entertained themselves, and mentioned various family members playing music in the home. Also appearing in this interview was Ms. Hylton’s daughter Lydeana Martin. This interview is among projects created by students enrolled in English 446 (initially English 452), “Appalachian Folklore,” 1981-2019, and in graduate level counterparts English 548 and 648 “Appalachian Folk Culture(s)” offered 17 fall semesters between 1987 and 2009. Minimally contain collector’s introduction and analysis, transcribed informant interviews, and excerpted and labeled examples of oral, customary, and/or material folklore/folklife collected primarily within the Appalachian region. Most include also tables of contents, informant information, indexes (outlines) of interviews, photographs, miscellaneous paper items, and indexes of informants, genres, and geographic locations. Accompanying audio recordings (several minutes to 2+ hours). Transferred to McConnell Library Archives & Special Collections from Appalachian Regional and Rural Studies Center, Fall 2013.