Pictured: Oral History Interview being conducted on Esmont Community Day 2018
About Us
Oral
Histories
Rooted in traditions of memory and storytelling, these accounts help preserve the experiences of those whose lives and contributions were often left out of written records due to intersecting barriers of race, class, and geography.
By combining oral narratives with research into existing documents, we form a stronger, more complete picture of Esmont’s history- one grounded in both lived experience and archival evidence. As a part of our mission to educate and inspire, these oral histories contribute to deepening public understanding of Esmont’s rich history.
Oral history remains one of the most reliable ways to trace the untold stories of Esmont’s Black community.
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As defined by the Oral History Association,
“Oral history is a field of study and a method of gathering, preserving and interpreting the voices and memories of people, communities, and participants in past events.” (Source) -
YSSC H&H collects Oral Histories from personal recollections through planned recorded interviews.
Continue below to engage with the stories we’ve gathered so far.
Completed Projects
In 2002, the Virginia Center for Digital Humanities and the Carter G Woodson Institute collaborated to record oral histories of Esmont residents who lived there during the Jim Crow Era.
Race & Place: An African American Community in Jim Crow South
In collaboration with Professor Lisa Goff’s “Mapping Black Landscapes” class at the University of Virginia, long-time residents of Porters Road shared personal memories that illuminate the community’s rich history.
History Keepers
May Day 2025
During BF Yancey Community Center’s May Day celebration on May 10th, 2025, a Story Book Booth invited community members to share brief oral histories capturing their memories of the area, its people, and its ongoing story.
Esmont Community History Day
On October 27, 2018, the BF Yancey Heritage & History team hosted a community history day. Here, community members shared memories about attending school in Esmont.
Share Your Story
Interested in submitting an oral history?
Your memories are an essential part of Esmont’s history. We invite you to share your personal stories, memories, and experiences to help us preserve a complete and vibrant picture of our community.
How to Submit an Oral History
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You are more than welcome to self submit an oral history via our Google Form. Start the process by recording your own oral history via your device, then submit the file to us via our Google Form below. Once we process your oral history, we will reach out for additional information if needed.
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Sign up for Yancey School Community Center's newsletter, where opportunities for oral history interviews may arise!
Such events include our Community History Day, May Day, and several more.
Explore Our Histories
Click the drop-down to navigate through our oral histories by project and event.