Carolyn Scott interview with Mr. Jones, Mr. Crawford, Mr. Lewis, Henry Alvin Ivester, Mr. English, Mr. Reese, C. P. Griffin, John Gordon, Ralph Jones, and an anonymous interviewee (part four)

The John Burrison Georgia Folklore Archive recordings contains unedited versions of all interviews. Some material may contain descriptions of violence, offensive language, or negative stereotypes reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place. There are instances of racist language and description, particularly in regards to African Americans. These items are presented as part of the historical record. This project is a repository for the stories, accounts, and memories of those who chose to share their experiences for educational purposes. The viewpoints expressed in this project do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of the Atlanta History Center or any of its officers, agents, employees, or volunteers. The Atlanta History Center makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in the interviews and expressly disclaims any liability therefore. If you believe you are the copyright holder of any of the content published in this collection and do not want it publicly available, please contact the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center at 404-814-4040 or reference@atlantahistorycenter.com. In the fourth recording in a five part series, Scott interviews North Georgians who grow Martin gourds that they turn into bird nests. The first man interviewed is Mr. Jones, who learned to make gourd bird nests while growing up on his family farm. At 4:33 he states birds nest in early spring, and stay until late July every year. Mr. Lewis of Habersham County, Georgia, begins his interview at 5:50. He claims that facing bird nests east allows birds to see the sunrise easier, and his Martin gourd bird houses last between two and three years. At 10:05, Lewis explains that he raises chickens to lure hawks away from other farm animals, and that plastic milk jugs work just as well for bird nests. Henry Alvin Ivester of Clarkson, Georgia, begins his interview at 11:14. He talks about using locust trees as poles, which can last for 20 years, to hold up Martin gourd bird nests. Next at 15:35, Mr. English and Mr. Reese of Habersham County, start their interview by claiming birds do not like nesting in tin buckets or plastic jugs. Then at 21:29, they talk about birds nesting from March to August, and that they appreciate birds because they eat moths, gnats, and mosquitoes. C. P. Griffin of White County, Georgia, begins his interview at 22:00. He explains that he does not paint gourd bird houses because he believes that the birds do not like the paint. Next Griffin explains that he puts birdhouses up in February so that the human scent has time to wear off before nesting. At 26:20, he describes how to dry gourds and place birdhouses the correct distance from a house. He says that he never uses plastic milk jugs for nests and explains why he removes limbs off the tree where he places the nests. At 32:10, Griffin says he never saw a male bird enter a gourd bird house, and birds do not nest in a birdhouse unless it is near other birdhouses. Carolyn Carole Scott (1948-1997) was born in Augusta, Georgia, to David Scott (1915-2015) and Jennie Ester Goplin (1923-2008). She graduated from Georgia State University and married twice. Mr. Crawford was born in Michigan and later moved to Georgia. He was an accomplished rifle maker and restorer. Mr. Jones, Mr. Lewis, and Mr. English lived on farms in North Georgia where they constructed elaborate Martin gourd birdhouses. C. P. Griffin lived on a farm in White County, Georgia, and was knowledgeable about birds and their yearly nesting patterns. He made Martin gourd birdhouses. Henry Alvin Docie Ivester (1900-1991) was born in Habersham County, Georgia, where he lived the remainder of his life, to Jesse L. Ivester (1875-1943) and Bettie Billings Foister (1878-1921). He married Hallie Elvira Moore (1896-1959) in 1918 and had four children together. After his wifes death, Ivester married Violet Youngblood (1919-2002) in 1960. John Ralph Jones (1910-1972) was born in Dahlonega, Georgia, to Francis Goodman Jones (1870-1911) and Sarah Caldonia Lance (1875-1948). In 1933 he married Myldred Frances Guess (1915-2007) and had three children. Jones lived in Lumpkin County, Cobb County, and Habersham County, Georgia, throughout his life. John W. Gordon Jr. (1909-1972) was born on a farm in Jasper, Georgia, to John W. Gordon Sr. (1867-1960) and Willa Ann Gordon (1870-1942). He enlisted to the United States Army in 1943 and served during World War II. Additional biographical information has not been determined. There is no transcript for this recording. Professor John Burrison founded the Atlanta Folklore Archive Project in 1967 at Georgia State University. He trained undergraduates and graduate students enrolled in his folklore curriculum to conduct oral history interviews. Students interviewed men, women, and children of various demographics in Georgia and across the southeast on crafts, storytelling, music, religion, rural life, and traditions. As archivists, we acknowledge our role as stewards of information, which places us inaposition to choose how individuals and organizations are represented and described in our archives. We are not neutral, andbias isreflected in our descriptions, whichmay not convey the racist or offensive aspects of collection materialsaccurately.Archivists make mistakes and might use poor judgment.We often re-use language used by the former owners and creators, which provides context but also includes bias and prejudices of the time it was created.Additionally,our work to use reparative languagewhereLibrary of Congress subject termsareinaccurate and obsolete isongoing. Kenan Research Center welcomes feedback and questions regarding our archival descriptions. If you encounter harmful, offensive, or insensitive terminology or description please let us know by emailingreference@atlantahistorycenter.com. Your comments are essential to our work to create inclusive and thoughtful description.