Vienna Oral Histories at GMU Special Collections

Vienna Oral Histories at GMU Special Collections

Box 6:

Honesty, Columbus C., September 11,1972 (1 sound cassette (45 min) mono and 1 duplicate cassette.)

Life in the Black community of Vienna, VA.; 1 abstract (1p.).

Box 12

West, William, October 2, 1974 (4 sound cassettes.)

Black community life in and around Vienna, VA (ca. 1870-1940) with emphasis on Wakefield Chapel(1850-1972), Part 1.; 72-page transcript.

West, William, September 17, 1974 (2 sound cassettes (60 min.) mono)

Life in the Black community of Vienna, VA (ca. 1870-1960).; 67 page transcript.

Box 13

West, William, September 17, 1974 (Duplicate cassette for interview in box 12.) Life in the Black community of Vienna, VA (ca. 1870-1960).; 67 page transcript.

West, William, January 22,1970 (2 sound cassette (90 min.) mono and 1 duplicate set.)

A student's and teacher's reminiscences of the Black school of Fairfax County, VA (ca. 1875- 1955).; 14-page transcript.

West, William, 1971 (1 sound cassette and 1 duplicate cassette.) Box 24

West, William, October 2, 1974 (2 sound tape reels)

Community life in Vienna, VA (ca. 1874-1971).; 1 abstract (2p.).

West, William, September 17, 1974 (2 sound tape reels)

Life in the Black community of Vienna, VA (ca. 1870-1960).; 67-page transcript.

West, William, January 22,1970 (2 sound tape reel - master)

A student's and teacher's reminiscences of the Black school of Fairfax County, VA (ca. 1875-1955).; 14-page transcript.

West, William, February 28, 1970 (1 sound tape reel)

Same Material Described Another Way

Index Catalog of Oral Histories Fairfax County, Virginia Compiled by the Fairfax County History Commission Commemorating the 275th Anniversary of Fairfax County 

Ellis, Joseph and James Donn: The 1984 transcribed oral history of Deacon Joseph Ellis, a Black resident of the Dranesville area took place with James Donn. Joseph talks about conversations with Arthur Godfrey, gypsies, health issues life in Wiehle (today Reston), Herndon, and Dranesville. The combined interview can be found in the rare book section (VRARE B Donn) at the Fairfax County Public Library’s Virginia Room, the Great Falls Library, or by contacting the Great Falls Historical Society. Joseph’s December 2, 1982, five-page abstract, plus a nine page handwritten abstract, and an October 28, 1983, four page handwritten abstract can be obtained at George Mason University’s Northern Virginia Oral History Project Collection, Series 4, Transcripts: Northern Virginia Changes (1972-1989), Box 14, folder 16 and in CD format at the George Mason University Oral History Project Collection (1978 – 2013).

Honesty, Columbus (Lum): Columbus, or Lum as he was known, resided off Beulah Road near Vienna. He was a World War I veteran and had a reputation as a comedian. Columbus often worked as a helper for E. E. Lyons & Company and as a day laborer for Faust and Freemont Day. His 1972 interview discussing life in the Black community in Vienna can be found in cassette format ant a one-page abstract at the George Mason University Library’s Oral History Project Collection, Series 1: Northern Virginia Community, 1958-1990. Box 6.

Robinson, Bladen Oswald: Oswald, a Black educator, spent over 40 years in the Fairfax County Public Schools, first as a teacher and in 1948 he took on the position of principal at the Vienna Colored School (today’s Louise Archer Elementary). When the schools were integrated in the county, Oswald was a primary force in making it work. His 1970 interview discussing his role as an educator in Fairfax County can be found in cassette format and a two page abstract at the Northern Virginia Oral History Project at George Mason University under Northern Virginia Community, 1958-1990, Series 1, Box 10. An additional 1986 interview can be located at http://web.edu/projects/ohpsp/r/155robinson.html.

West, William A.: William, a Vienna resident, addressed life as life as an African-American in Fairfax County. He is buried in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery in McLean. His 1974 transcribed oral interview can be found at the Fairfax County Public Library’s Virginia Room rare book section under VRARE B West. Four additional interviews are available at the Northern Virginia Oral History Project at George Mason University under Northern Virginia Community, 1955-1990, Series 1, Box 12 and 13. They are as follows: A 1970 cassette and 14 page transcript titled “Student’s and Teacher’s Reminiscences of the Black School of Fairfax County (ca1875- 1955);” A 1971 cassette with no title; A 1974 Part 1 cassette and 72 page transcript titled “Black Community Life in and Around Vienna (ca.1870-1940); and a 1974 Part 2 cassette and 67 page transcript titled “Black Community Life in and Around Vienna (ca.1870-1960)

George Mason University Hours:
Walk In: M-F 10:00-1:00PM
Appointment Only: M-F 1:30-4:30PM Saturday-Sunday: CLOSED

Special Collections Research Center is located on the Fairfax Campus of George Mason University in the Fenwick Library in room 2400 (second floor)

Hunter Mill

Contact:

Phone: 703-993-2220

Fax: 703-993-8911

Email: speccoll@gmu.edu Address:

Special Collections Research Center Fenwick Library

4400 University Drive MSN 2FL Fairfax, VA 22030