Interview: Strickland, Bertha M.
Item
Identifier
Mss-0282, Tape 81
Title
Interview: Strickland, Bertha M.
Type
Sound
Format
.mp3
Language
English
Source
Black Heritage in the Upper Piedmont of South Carolina Collection
Rights
Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Clemson University Libraries Special Collections and Archives. All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the Clemson University Libraries Special Collections and Archives.
Date
1990-07-08
Description
Bertha M. Strickland was born on December 25, 1927 in Oconee County, SC. She was the daughter of Jack M. and Bertha L. Strickland. Mrs. Strickland died on April 16, 2003.
Side 1
2:25--She can recall that her paternal grandmother's name was Donna Strickland. Her great-grandmother was Sadie Collins.
3:35--Strickland's father worked with the railroad in NC, and was often away from home. Her mother worked for the Lunney family locally for 50 years. Dr. Lunney predeceased his wife, so Strickland's mother was largely responsible for the day-today operations of the household. Strickland discusses at length life in the Lunney household.
13:46--Mrs. Strickland, as a child, did domestic work for the Joe Bird family locally. She started work for them when she was in the sixth grade. Her brother did landscaping work for the Burton family.
15:10--Financially the family didn't earn much, but they made ends meet. Clothes were often passed down to them from whites families.
16:20--Strickland's neighborhood was racially mixed, with houses of large white families and black domestic workers just one block away.
19:05--Education--Strickland attended Oconee County Training School. There were occasional problems with white's going to and from school.
22:09--Church--She has always attended St. James United Methodist Church.
28:05--Strickland mentions that her mother was a member of the Mary McCloud Bethune Society.
31:30--Audio ends.
Side 2
00:30--Strickland makes brief comment regarding a variety of issues. Strickland's mother likely started working for the Lunney family at a young age. The way in which the Lunney estate was divided is discussed. Some thought blacks lived in the Lunney Mansion because after Mrs. Lunney's stroke, she was rarely seen outside the home. Her mother wore either a grey or white uniform while working around the mansion. Strickland's brother moved to New York after joining the military. Mrs. Strickland graduated high school in 1946. Aspects of social life such as dances are recalled. She can remember being able to do the "Jitterbug," "Big Apple," and "Charleston."
14:07--Audio ends.
Side 1
2:25--She can recall that her paternal grandmother's name was Donna Strickland. Her great-grandmother was Sadie Collins.
3:35--Strickland's father worked with the railroad in NC, and was often away from home. Her mother worked for the Lunney family locally for 50 years. Dr. Lunney predeceased his wife, so Strickland's mother was largely responsible for the day-today operations of the household. Strickland discusses at length life in the Lunney household.
13:46--Mrs. Strickland, as a child, did domestic work for the Joe Bird family locally. She started work for them when she was in the sixth grade. Her brother did landscaping work for the Burton family.
15:10--Financially the family didn't earn much, but they made ends meet. Clothes were often passed down to them from whites families.
16:20--Strickland's neighborhood was racially mixed, with houses of large white families and black domestic workers just one block away.
19:05--Education--Strickland attended Oconee County Training School. There were occasional problems with white's going to and from school.
22:09--Church--She has always attended St. James United Methodist Church.
28:05--Strickland mentions that her mother was a member of the Mary McCloud Bethune Society.
31:30--Audio ends.
Side 2
00:30--Strickland makes brief comment regarding a variety of issues. Strickland's mother likely started working for the Lunney family at a young age. The way in which the Lunney estate was divided is discussed. Some thought blacks lived in the Lunney Mansion because after Mrs. Lunney's stroke, she was rarely seen outside the home. Her mother wore either a grey or white uniform while working around the mansion. Strickland's brother moved to New York after joining the military. Mrs. Strickland graduated high school in 1946. Aspects of social life such as dances are recalled. She can remember being able to do the "Jitterbug," "Big Apple," and "Charleston."
14:07--Audio ends.
Subject
African Americans -- History. -- South Carolina -- Oconee County
Interviewer
Deas-Moore, Vennie
Interviewee
Strickland, Bertha M.
Spatial Coverage
Seneca, Oconee County, South Carolina, United States, 34.68037, -82.9609, SC, 7318113, [34.68037, -82.9609] [id:7318113]
Publisher
Clemson University Libraries Special Collections and Archives Repository
