The Oral History Program's mission is to record unique life histories, documenting historical events and memories of our time by preserving and adding these voices to the historical record. The Pettus Archives have been collecting and preserving stories, personal accounts, and recollections through recorded interviews as part of the Oral History Program since 1973. The Archives holds more than 800 interviews in audio, video and text formats, on a wide variety of subjects, including life at Winthrop, Rock Hill, SC and the Catawba Region and people, mill life and workers, American Wars and conflicts, Veteran History Project, women in politics and society, African American, and many other topics.
Disclaimer: The content of oral history interviews are personal and interpretive in nature, relying on memories, experiences, perceptions, and opinions of the interviewee. They do not represent the policy, views, or official history of Winthrop University and the University makes no assertions about the veracity of statements made by individuals participating in the Oral History Program.
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Interview with Arvilla Parshall - OH 437
Arvilla Parshall
OH 437
IN PROCESSING
Interviews with extension members and agents throughout the country documenting the history and development of the extension movement in the U.S. The interviews describe homemaking, child bearing and family management in the small towns and rural areas where they live. They also discuss the role of extension homemakers groups in their lives.
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Interview with Kay Patterson - OH 366
Kay Patterson
OH 366
This interview was conducted by Michael A. Cooke with South Carolina Representative, Kay Patterson who was a member of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus. Kay Patterson was born in Darlington, South Carolina in 1931 and grew up in Sumter, South Carolina. Before entering politics, he was a teacher and advocate in his community for African American education and voting rights, including advocating for the voting rights act of 1965. In 1975, Kay Patterson became a member of the House of Representatives and served in the House for the 73rd district until 1985. In 1985, he became a member of the South Carolina Senate from the 19th district until he retired in 2008. He also served as the Secretary of the Black Caucus. In this interview, Kay Patterson discusses his background and his political career, including his personal goals and the goals of the Black Caucus.
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Interview with Ben Paxton - OH 215
Ben Paxton
OH 215
In his March 25, 2015 interview with Jenna Kasmarik, Ben Paxton shares his opinions on Title IX’s influence on athletics at Winthrop, specifically in track. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.
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Interview with Gabriel Paxton - OH 151
Gabriel Paxton
OH 151
In his February 18, 2015 interview with Michelle Dubert-Bellrichard, Gabriel Paxton shares the story of founding the grassroots organization Rock Hill for Equality. Included are his experiences as an ally in the Southeast and the partnerships he made to support Rock Hill for Equality. Paxton provides insight on this civil rights movement and speculates why the South is slow to change. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.
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Interview with Lillian Paxton - OH 313
Margaret Lillian Rivers Paxton
OH 313
Margaret Lillian Rivers Paxton’s interview covers her experience as an undergraduate student at Winthrop College. Lillian graduated in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and became a teacher in Greenville County after graduation. She mentions that her grandmother, (Lillian C. Hughes 1881-1920) attended Winthrop in the early years (1895-1896). Lillian discusses her experience with the entrance exam, getting accepted to Winthrop, and moving onto campus. Mrs. Paxton recounts life in the dorms (McLaurin Hall, Phelps Hall) as well as fun activities during free time. She also discusses specific dress code regulations and rules enforced by Winthrop, the food in the dining halls, and the physical education requires. Mrs. Paxton also discusses the changes in Winthrop College as society changed in the 1960s.
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Interview with Betty Williams Perkins - OH 192
Betty Williams Perkins
OH 192
Betty Williams Perkins (1943-2020) was a Northern Irish peace activist who won the 1976 Nobel Peace Prize for her work. In this interview, Mrs. Williams discusses her life in Northern Ireland in the 1960s, the Provisional IRA, her experience during the conflict within Northern Ireland, the events that led her to decision to begin her activism, her involvement in the Community of the Peace People, her reasons for leaving the peace movement in the 1980, her move to the United States, her social activism in the U.S., and the necessity of the unification of Northern Ireland before peace can be achieved.
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Interview with Persistent Pals - OH 421
Persistent Pals
OH 421
IN PROCESSING
Interviews with extension members and agents throughout the country documenting the history and development of the extension movement in the U.S. The interviews describe homemaking, child bearing and family management in the small towns and rural areas where they live. They also discuss the role of extension homemakers groups in their lives.
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Interview with Esther Surasky Persky - OH 087
Esther Surasky Persky
OH 087
The interview conducted by Dr. Arnold Shankman of Winthrop College with 1918 Winthrop graduate Esther Surasky Persky outlines the life and experiences of a Jewish girl growing up and living in the South. Esther helped found the Hadassah chapter in Aiken, SC. Hadassah is an American Jewish volunteer women's organization. Subjects include education, family life, employment, college days at Winthrop College, marriage and Zionist organizations and activities.
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Interview with Dorothy Personette - OH 407
Dorothy Personette
OH 407
IN PROCESSING
Interviews with extension members and agents throughout the country documenting the history and development of the extension movement in the U.S. The interviews describe homemaking, child bearing and family management in the small towns and rural areas where they live. They also discuss the role of extension homemakers groups in their lives.
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Interview with Ansel Peterson - OH 471
Ansel Peterson
OH 471
IN PROCESSING
Interviews with extension members and agents throughout the country documenting the history and development of the extension movement in the U.S. The interviews describe homemaking, child bearing and family management in the small towns and rural areas where they live. They also discuss the role of extension homemakers groups in their lives.
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Interview with Cologera Petruzella - OH 120
Cologera Petruzella
OH 120
IN PROCESSING
Mrs. Petruzella talks about her life in Sicily and her life in the United States.
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Interview with Daniel Newton Pettus - OH 259
Daniel Newton Pettus, Fort Mill Manufacturing Company, Springs Industries, and Nancy Biggs Thomas Wofford
OH 259
This interview with Daniel Newton Pettus was conducted by Nancy Thomas Wofford for her 1984 Winthrop thesis titled, Fort Mill: Transition From A Farming To A Textile Community, 1880-1920. Subjects include Fort Mill Manufacturing Co., Springs Industries, Ivey’s Mill in Fort Mill, Catawba Power Company, and the Evolution of the Early Cotton Textile Mills in York County, SC.
Daniel Newton Pettus (1902-1998) left his father’s (Newton Thomas Pettus (1876-1954) farm in Belair, SC in Lancaster County and went to work for the Fort Mill Manufacturing Company in 1919. He filled batteries for 3 to 4 years, and “drawed ends” for 44 years, retiring in 1966 at the age of 62. He and his wife, Margaret Frances Lancaster Holcomb Pettus (1923-2017), lived in the mill village. Mr. Pettus discusses childhood and family who owned a three-room farm house in Belair, SC (which is an unincorporated community in Lancaster County near Indian Land today), cotton farm life, native Americans, 1916 flood, child labor, and much on the life working in the factory. Daniel Newton Pettus was a first cousin once removed of Louise Pettus (1926-2021) (namesake of the Winthrop Archives) and a first cousin of her father, Calvin Hall Pettus (1901-1949).
*Audio has an echo of the same interview in background of the recording.
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Interview with Louise Pettus - OH 258
Mildred Louise Pettus
OH 258
Louise Pettus shares her memories and thoughts about her years at Winthrop College (1942-1946). She discusses her switching her major from business to history, the kinds of productions and programs that occurred at Winthrop, and how buildings have changed since she was a student. She talks at length about the buildings and their uses, from Main Building becoming Tillman Hall to Carnegie Library becoming Rutledge. She also discusses the stricter student policies that took place while she was enrolled, like campusing students or shipping them home. If a student was campused as a punishment, they could not leave campus grounds for sometimes up to two weeks. She discusses the types of general education courses she took as well as some of the specialized classes for her history major. Some interesting classes she took include archery and spring hockey. She discusses the military men housed in Bancroft Hall during her time at Winthrop.
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Interview with Louise Pettus - OH 640
Mildred Louise Pettus
OH 640
Louise Pettus discusses her childhood growing up in Lancaster County, her experiences operating and working in a cotton gin owned by her family, her academic career, and her teaching career. Bob Gorman interviewed Ms. Pettus as part of his research into an article he wrote title “Queen Cotton: The Story of a Woman Ginner” that was published in the Winter 2005-2006 Sandlapper magazine.
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Interview with Emma Stella Higgins Phelps - OH 785
Emma Estella Higgins Phelps
OH 785
This audio recording is of Emma Estella Higgins “Stella” Phelps (1887-1971). Stella was the wife of Shelton Joseph Phelps who was the third president of Winthrop College (1934-1943). Mrs. Phelps offers her recollections and experiences while she was at Winthrop from 1934 to 1943. As the “First Lady” at Winthrop, she hosted many gatherings at the President’s House, which included many influential and famous people, including Eleanor Roosevelt.
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Interview with Amy Phillips - OH 657
Amy Phillips
OH 657
This interview was conducted for the as part of the 20th Anniversary of the September 11th Terrorist Attacks on the United States. This effort was to produce a history of the university’s, as well as the community’s, response in the days and weeks following the attacks. A key aspect of the project was a series of audio-taped interviews conducted with various members of the Rock Hill and Winthrop communities who felt their stories needed to be shared.
This interview is of Mrs. Amy Phillips, Residential Learning Coordinator and Academic Associate at Winthrop University. In her interview with Andrew Russell, Amy Phillips discusses her memories and experiences of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Mrs. Phillips describes her experiences and thoughts during the events as well as the response of her local community.
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Interview with Florence Phillips - OH 411
Florence Phillips
OH 411
IN PROCESSING
Interviews with extension members and agents throughout the country documenting the history and development of the extension movement in the U.S. The interviews describe homemaking, child bearing and family management in the small towns and rural areas where they live. They also discuss the role of extension homemakers groups in their lives.
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Interview with Fred D. Phillips - OH 209
Fred D. Phillips
OH 209
IN PROCESSING
Fred Phillips gives an overview of his life experiences including his involvement with the Progressive Democratic Party and voter registration.
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Interview with Henrietta Phillips - OH 199
Henrietta Phillips
OH 199
IN PROCESSING
Interviews with extension members and agents throughout the country documenting the history and development of the extension movement in the U.S. The interviews describe homemaking, child bearing and family management in the small towns and rural areas where they live. They also discuss the role of extension homemakers groups in their lives.
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Interview with Esther Pinck - OH 073
Esther Pinck
OH 073
IN PROCESSING
Pinck discusses her life in Russia and coming to America. She lived in Aiken, South Carolina for several years. She discusses here time at Winthrop, her friends and of difficulties of being a Jew. Much of the interview revolves around her family and of the problems that they encountered because of their faith.
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Interview with Martha Kime Piper - OH 202
Martha Kime Piper
OH 202
Dr. Martha Kime Piper (1932-1988) served as the eighth president of Winthrop from 1986 to 1988. She was the first woman to serve as president of Winthrop, as well as the first sitting president to die while in office since Dr. D. B. Johnson. This interview, which was conducted by Johnsonian Reporter, Kris Sykes, was intended to gain insight on Dr. Piper’s life so that students could become better acquainted with her. In this interview, Dr. Piper discusses her experience as an undergraduate in college, advice for graduating students, the difficult aspects of her job as Winthrop’s president, her open door policy and availability, day-to-day activities of a Winthrop president, plans for future renovations of Winthrop buildings, her taste in books and music, chocolate as a reward for herself, Winthrop’s centennial year, the legacy she would like to leave as president, funding for Winthrop, changes that should be made on campus, and her hope for Winthrop students.
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Interview with Bobby Plair - OH 678
Bobby Plair and Emmett Scott High School
OH 678
This interview was conducted by Dr. George Garrison with Bobby Plair for his project on the history of Emmett Scott High School. Emmett Scott was the segregated high school for African Americans in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The school was named for Emmett Scott, a former aide to Booker T. Washington and President Woodrow Wilson. Emmett Scott was opened in 1920 and then closed in 1970 with the full integration of Rock Hill School District. Mr. Plair is an Emmett Scott Alumnus and local musician. He talks about his experiences in Emmett Scott High School during the 1940s. He also discusses his experiences with higher education, including attending Friendship Junior College and working as a teacher and principal in the South Carolina School System. Mr. Plair details his experience with music both at Emmett Scott as well as during his career. He is a talented artist that has worked with many local musicians over the years.
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Interview with Bobby Plair - OH 684
Bobby Plair and Emmett Scott High School
OH 684
This interview was conducted by Dr. George Garrison with Bobby Plair for the history of Emmett Scott High School project. The school was the segregated school for African Americans in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Emmett Scott High School was named for Emmett Scott a former aide to Booker T. Washington and President Woodrow Wilson. The school was opened in 1920 and then closed in 1970 with the full integration of the Rock Hill School District. Mr. Plair is an alumnus of Emmett Scott High School. In this interview he details his experience as a teacher in the South Carolina public school system. Mr. Plair also discusses his career as a musician. This interview is a continuation of a previous interview with Mr. Plair [OH-678] for some follow-up information.
*This interview is a follow-up to an earlier interview conducted on May 21, 2003 (OH-678).
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Interview with Terry C. Plumb - OH 230
Terry C. Plumb
OH 230
This interview was conducted for the as part of the Winthrop History Project spearheaded by Winthrop President Emeritus Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio and Rebecca Masters to “document the 24-year path of the original Winthrop College to becoming Winthrop University.” This effort was to produce a history of the institution and Dr. DiGiorgio’s tenure as president as a supplement to Dr. Ross Webb’s history of Winthrop (The Torch is Passed) that covered Winthrop history up to Dr. DiGiorgio becoming president. A key aspect of the project was a series of audio-taped interviews conducted with various members of the extended Winthrop community who participated in or helped guide the advancement of Winthrop over these years. That way, the Winthrop story will be told in an array of participants’ own words, own voices and from their own perspectives.
This interview is with Terry C. Plumb. Terry was a former editor of the Rock Hill, SC newspaper, The Herald from 1987 through 2007. He also participated in a number of community organizations which also overlapped from time to time with Winthrop initiatives. In this interview he discusses his and The Herald’s coverage of Winthrop and of Winthrop President, Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio in particular. He also talks about his experiences and impressions working with Dr. DiGiorgio.
