Balls Creek | J. Murrey Atkins Library

: Lourdes Aguirre oral history interview, 2002 October 27; Lourdes Aguirre was a 37-year-old woman at the time of the interview, which took place at a property in Catawba County, North Carolina. She is from Matamoros, Mexico and was formerly employed for 18 years at an American company in Mexico.\n\nKenia Cardenas was an 11-year-old girl at the time of the interview. Miss Cardenas is the daughter of Lourdes Aguirre and is from Matamoros, Mexico. She attended school at Catawba Middle School. \n\nBrenda Eads is a friend of Lourdes Aguirre and they met through a Baptist church.\n, Lourdes Aguirre discusses her experiences in the United States after immigrating from Matamoros, Mexico. Lourdes Aguirre talks about her life in Mexico and how she and her family are fond of country life in North Carolina and feel welcomed. Ms. Aguirre speaks on the differences of the landscape between Matamoros, Mexico and Rowan County, North Carolina. Ms. Aguirre talks about the Baptist church community which has helped her connect and become involved in her community. Another topic discussed is the challenges that she and her family face as undocumented immigrants in the United States.

: Rick Bumgarner and Jerry Bumgarner oral history interview, 2002 October 17; Jerry Bumgarner and Rick Bumgarner illustrate their experiences in the logging industry, primarily in Catawba County, North Carolina, and the history of their family. The brothers discuss how they got into logging, the equipment that they use for logging, the products of their logging business, and tree replanting. Other subjects discussed include land development in Catawba County, Rick Bumgarner's former work as a motorsports mechanic, and growing up in Reidsville, North Carolina.

: Shawn Chang oral history interview, June 17, 2003; Shawn Cheng Chang discusses his relationship with the land in Catawba County, North Carolina as an immigrant from Thailand and Laos and his interest in advocating for the legal protection of Hmong people. He talks about his volunteer work, including his membership in the United Hmong Association and his role as an international chapter director of North Carolina Hmongs for Human Rights Watch. Mr. Chang speaks on his desire to preserve the agricultural resources and environment of the community. He talks about the similarities of weather and land of Thailand and Laos to North Carolina's Piedmont region, and details why the Piedmont region of North Carolina attracts a large Hmong population. Mr. Chang contrasts differences between land and agricultural practices in Thailand and Laos with North Carolina and in other areas in the United States. Other topics discussed are traditional Hmong medicine and religious customs as well as intergenerational tension between older, more traditional Hmong family members and the younger Westernized family members.

: Robert Eades oral history interview, 2002 October 20; Robert Eades discusses the history of the land in Catawba County and Long Island, North Carolina, along with how the area has changed in recent years. Mr. Eades talks about cotton mills, which had closed by the time of interview; cotton farming, new development in the area, camp meetings, and how his role as county attorney influences land use in Catawba County.

: Spencer Graham and Kathy Graham oral history interview, 2001 December 2; Spencer Graham and Kathy Graham recount their experiences with camp meetings in Catawba County, North Carolina, and the meetings' 200-year long history in the region. The Grahams discuss how camp meetings, which take place in the summer, are considered "holy land" by the participants and a time to reflect and communicate with God. They talk about the types of vendors, such as ice cream stands, that come to the camp meetings, and how the camp meetings strengthen the community through common ground. The Grahams also express concern about the camp meetings continuing for future generations.

: Ray Hildebran oral history interview 1, 2002 October 24-25; Ray Hildebran, his sister Frances "Sue" Elmore, and his son Ken Hildebran discuss life in rural Catawba County, North Carolina, and share memories from their parents and grandparents, who lived in the same region. (22:45) They discuss mica, lime, and gold mines in their local area, which were active from the early 1900s through the mid 1940s but all closed decades before the interview. They talk about local industries of the past, such as farming and molasses production, and how over the generations many people like their grandfather transitioned from farming to work for pay in factories. Other topics include the family’s petroleum business (1:17:50), outdoor activities and recreation through the generations, modern conveniences such as air conditioning, camp meetings, and how public school has changed over time.

: Ray Hildebran oral history interview 2, 2002 October 25; In this second interview, Ray Hildebran and his sister, Frances "Sue" Elmore, compare past and present life in rural Catawba County, North Carolina. Mr. Hildebran and Mrs. Elmore discuss activities that still take place in the region, such as gardening, fishing, and attending camp meetings, and how those activities have changed over the years. Mr. Hildebran shares his views on having the right balance of developmental regulation in rural areas to protect longtime residents and on how he hopes the region remains the same. After the main interview (around 1:00:00), the recording includes conversation about Ray Hildebrand's mother, a drive with Ken Hildebran to Murray's Mill to demonstrate how the molasses mill works, and an audio journal by Gabriel Cumming.

: Khue Khang oral history interview, 2003 July 7; Khue Khang discusses his work as a real estate agent in Catawba County and his efforts to preserve the agricultural resources and environment of the community. He was president of the Hmong Association and an advocate for race relations. He also talks about his experiences aiding and educating the refugee community. Topics discussed include the need for land preservation regulations, diversity in environmental work, and the need for greater community involvement.

: Naomi White-Hewitt oral history interview, 2002 November 1; Naomi White-Hewitt was interviewed at her home in Claremont, North Carolina. She was born and raised in Catawba County, North Carolina. She was educated at North Carolina Central University and Johnson C. Smith University and was employed as a teacher and librarian at schools in Catawba County., Naomi White-Hewitt discusses her family's history in Catawba County, North Carolina and her experiences as an African American woman living in a primarily white, rural community. Mrs. White-Hewitt talks about camp meetings, race relations in the area, and the differences between white schools and black schools during segregation. Other subjects include her experiences while working within the school system, her family's farm, and land use.