Oral history recordings now available on New River Gorge national park website

GLEN JEAN, W.Va. — Officials at the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia have announced the publication of a collection of oral history recordings of residents and others with knowledge of the park and region are now available for listening and downloading on the park’s website.

The recordings include those of individuals interviewed in the early 1980s, many of whom are now deceased, as well as more recent recordings of residents with knowledge of or a connection to the park, according to Acting Superintendent Eric LaPrice.

“Beyond just the history that is preserved within these narratives,” LaPrice said, “it is truly a special thing to hear the voice of a friend, relative, or loved one from the past share their memories of growing up, living, and playing here.”

The recordings are listed both alphabetically by last name and by topic, including mining, railroading, and African American History. The collection is easy to navigate and accessible to anyone with internet access, whether using a laptop or smartphone.

Park staff began collecting recordings of residents not long after the park was established in 1978 at Oak Hill, West Virginia. Older recordings were collected using the ‘latest’ reel-to-reel technology, then later cassette and VHS.

By 2024, the park had collected over 350 recordings in various formats. Last year, in collaboration with the National Archives Museum, the park had its entire collection of recordings digitized.

Additional recordings will be added to the website in the coming months until the park can provide access to all interviews conducted throughout the years.

“We’re also excited to announce that we’ve recently embarked on an entirely new outreach for interviews of those associated with the park,” LaPrice said.

“On the cusp of the 50th anniversary of the park in 2028, we’re hoping to gather more information on the park’s establishment and the evolution of the whitewater and recreation industry, among other things.”

“And it doesn’t have to be anything spectacular or exacting on dates,” he said. “Memories of events and places are more priceless than many might imagine.”

Potential interviewees or those with recommendations of others to interview can email the park at Neri_oral_history@nps.gov. The park is also interested in historically pertinent and identifiable photographs and documents that will be scanned and returned.

The recordings are available here. More information on the park can be found on the park’s website at nps.gov/neri.