Oral History Interview with Eugene C. Hunt, 1985

Title:

Oral History Interview with Eugene C. Hunt, 1985

Date:

1985

Description:

Interview with Eugene C. Hunt by Edmund L. Drago, December 4, 1985, AMN 500.001.005.1985, in the Avery Normal Institute Oral History Project, of the Avery Research Center at the College of Charleston

Collection Title:

Avery Research Center Oral Histories

Contributing Institution:

Avery Research Center at the College of Charleston

Media Type:

Oral Histories

Note:

In this third interview conducted in 1985, Eugene C. Hunt (1890 – 1995) talks at first about taking music lessons with Charleston’s most renown music teacher at the time, J. Donovan Moore. He refers in detail to his upbringing in Charleston’s Radcliffeborough neighborhood by mentioning several local families and Avery teachers that lived there, such as the Dashes and the Andersons, Ms. Simms and Ms. Clyde. Regarding religious affiliations, Hunt emphasizes his break with Central Baptist Church and joining of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Talking about long musical traditions in his family, Hunt recalls singing in several church choirs throughout high school. Inquiring about Charleston’s East Side and its bad reputation, Hunt elaborates on the varying ethnicities comprising the mixed neighborhood. Hunt mainly attributes the acquirement of his vast knowledge in African American and Charleston history to the schools he attended, his family, and people he frequently interacted with, such as Dr. John McFall. Referring to his parents’ professions, Hunt describes his family’s economic situation as poor. However, he emphasizes his parents’ desire to provide a good education for their children. Hunt mentions Ms. Jeannette Cox’s influence and guidance on his academic interests in Communication, English and Speech during his years in college. The interview then talks about the importance of storytelling and narratives in the African American community before concluding with insights on race relations in Charleston, especially Hunt’s relationship with the Stoney Family.

Personal or Corporate Subject:

Avery Normal Institute--History, Cox, Jeannette Keeble, Hunt, Eugene C., Simonton Elementary School (Charleston, S.C.)--History, Anderson, Leroy F., East Side (Charleston, S.C.), McFall, John Allen, 1878-1954, Stoney family

Topical Subject:

African Americans--South Carolina--Charleston--History, African Americans--Social conditions--South Carolina--History--20th century, African Americans--South Carolina--Interviews, Segregation--South Carolina--Charleston--History--20th century, African Americans--Race identity--South Carolina--History--20th century, African Americans--Education--South Carolina--Charleston--History, Civil rights movements--South Carolina--Charleston--History--20th century, Racial segregation--South Carolina--Charleston--History--20th century, Oral tradition--South Carolina--Charleston

Geographic Subject:

Charleston (S.C), Charleston (S.C.)--Race relations, Charleston (S.C.)--Politics and government--History--20th century

S.C. County:

Charleston County (S.C.)

Language:

English

Shelving Locator:

AMN 500.001.005.1985

Date Digital:

2010-12

Digitization Specifications:

Audio files available at the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture.

Internet Media Type:

application/pdf

Copyright Status Statement:

Digital resource copyright 2011, Avery Research Center at the College of Charleston Libraries. All rights reserved. For more information contact the Avery Research Center, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC 29424.

Admin ID:

223088