Roni Gilpin
Carr Creek Oral History Project
This collection is comprised of audio-recorded interviews conducted during 2022-2023 by folklorist Nicole Musgrave with support from the Kentucky Oral History Commission. Her work was part of an effort to document the geographic and human impact of the construction of the Carr Fork Reservoir in southeastern Kentucky, which was completed in 1976. The collection’s twenty interviews with residents of Knott, Letcher and Perry Counties range in focus and content. Most of the interviewees were affected by dislocation in some way. They express different opinions about the lake and its impact on the community. Most interviewees share memories of what the area was like before the lake was built, and many have vivid memories of what the construction process was like.
National Capital Contracting
Roni Gilpin was born and raised in Sassafras, Kentucky, a small community in the Appalachian region. Her early life was marked by the rural traditions and close-knit family ties characteristic of the area. Growing up, Roni attended Yellow Creek Elementary School, where she received her primary education before moving on to Carr Creek High School. The educational values were deeply ingrained in her family, as her mother pursued a career in teaching, influencing Roni's perspective on learning and community service. Roni's upbringing was also shaped by the agrarian lifestyle of her family, who maintained a garden, a common practice among households in the region to sustain themselves with homegrown produce. This connection to the land extended to her experiences with the Vicco cannery, where she and her family canned green beans, a staple in their diet and a reflection of the self-sufficient practices prevalent in the area.
Scope and Content Note
The interview with Roni Gilpin, conducted by Nicole Musgrave for the Carr Creek Oral History Project, encompasses a broad spectrum of Roni's life experiences and the cultural landscape of her community in Sassafras, Kentucky. Roni recounts her childhood, family life, and educational journey, providing insights into the dynamics of attending Yellow Creek Elementary School and Carr Creek High School. She reflects on her mother's teaching career, which serves as a testament to the value placed on education in her family. The discussion also delves into the practice of gardening and the role of the Vicco cannery in their lives, highlighting the importance of self-sufficiency and local food preservation traditions. Furthermore, Roni shares her personal recollections of the resistance to the proposed dam around the Red River Gorge area, a significant environmental and political issue that affected her community. She speaks to the impact of the construction of a lake in Knott County, detailing the changes it brought to the landscape, including mine blasting and the relocation of buildings and cemeteries. Roni's narrative captures the complexity of these transformations, their effects on her family and community, and her ambivalence about the value of such projects. The interview also touches upon how her interactions with the area have evolved due to the COVID pandemic and her own health concerns
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