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17, 2001 Delta Studies Center to unveil ‘Arkansas Delta Agriculture and Community in Transition, 1920-1980' exhibit The Delta Studies Center will unveil the inaugural presentation of "Arkansas Delta Agricultural and Community in Transition, 1920-1980: An Oral History," traveling exhibit from 1 until 3 p.m on Sunday, Aug. 26, at the Arkansas State University Museum. The exhibit captures the heart of the Delta Region, through the voices of its people. Since 1998, Delta Studies Center interviewers have traveled to 17 Eastern Arkansas counties to conduct more than 106 interviews with people who experienced various aspects of the Delta during the 60-year period covered in the project. Interview participants, their families, financial supporters and other Delta civic and community leaders will be present at the unveiling. Peggy R. Wright, coordinator of the Delta Studies Center, and Dr. Brady Banta, Dean B. Ellis Library archivist and director of the Heritage Studies Program, served as co-managers of the project. Drs. Calvin Smith and Larry Ball of the History Department were project co-directors. Christine Perry was the grant research assistant. Rasheda Hamilton, Vaneta Harvey, Pat Snodgrass, Lynne Zollner and Natasha Washington served as interviewers. Burr Swann, project manager for the Delta Studies Center Rural Development Initiative, was lead grant writer for the project. Funding for the project was provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Natural Resources Conservation Service, under the auspices of the East Arkansas Resource Conservation and Development Council, with additional support from Congressman Marion Berry. Arkansas State University provided in-kind and matching funds for the two-year project. "Agriculture is at the core of the Delta Region’s culture, history and economy," explained Wright, as she described the presentation. The exhibit and accompanying catalogue highlight quotes and photographs of 31 individuals who were interviewed as a part of this project. The traveling exhibit addresses in their words the "economic, political, social, and historic changes" that they witnessed over the 60-year period of the study. According to Dr. Banta, the interviews offer the personal insights of and perspectives from men and women who witnessed or participated in the transformation of the Delta." Researchers and students will find the interviews valuable because they "document an environment and a culture that have all but disappeared." More than 3,200 hours of taped interviews have been transcribed and, once catalogued, will be available to the public through the Dean B. Ellis Library Archives and Special Collections Department. The exhibit will continue through Oct. 21 at the Arkansas State University Museum during regular hours, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, except for the Labor Day weekend. The traveling exhibit is available to community and civic groups. Bookings may be arranged by contacting the Delta Studies Center at (870) 910-8034 or (toll free) at (877) 731-3020. # # # |
 University Communications Office Jonesboro, Arkansas Staff: Tom Moore Straley Snipes Vic Nelson 870-972-3056 fax 870-972-3069 Send mail: ASUnews@astate.edu Links: List of News/Announcements Upcoming Public Events About ASU ASU Home Page |
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