Oral History with Ellison A. Smyth, March 5, 1991 (Ms1991-019)

Oral History with Ellison A. Smyth, March 5, 1991 (Ms1991-019)

Reverend Dr. Ellison Adger Smyth was born and raised in Blacksburg, Virginia. He attended Blacksburg schools, and he graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1925 with a degree in electrical engineering before answering the call to ministry. Rev. Smyth served churches in Canada, West Virginia, Virginia, and South Carolina before returning to Blacksburg in 1948. In this interview, Rev. Smyth describes growing up in Blacksburg as a son to VPI faculty, and he describes race relations in the area from a white perspective. Smyth discusses his desegregation efforts in the Blacksburg Presbyterian Church, and he describes his experience with the Ministerial Association and Blacksburg Human Relations Council, which were organizations that advocated to end segregation in churches and schools.

Ms1991-019_EllisonSmyth

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Black Appalachians Oral History Project, Ms1991-019, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Ellison A. Smyth

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