Aggie Bray interview with Ruth Gilreath

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. The interview starts with Ruth Gilreath describing hand-making willow baskets. At 5:02, Gilreath talks about using willow, vines, and other plants used in the baskets. At 6:15, she talks about the best time for harvesting the materials to make the baskets and how to treat the vines. At 8:43, she talks about the longevity of the baskets and how she prolongs their freshness. She also talks about where she harvests material and what she does to acquire the material for her baskets. At 25:00, she continues plaiting and weaving the baskets, and Gilreath and the interviewers discuss why people are no longer crafting or using traditional methods for creating products. At 32:30, she talks about why she uses a needle and thread for her baskets. At 45:08, Gilreath talks about pricing and selling baskets. Ruth Davis Gilreath (1900-1993) was born in Newnan County, Georgia. She had eight siblings. She married Albert B. Gilreath (1897-1960) in 1924. After she married, she moved to West Virginia and had children. She lived in Cleveland, Tennessee, after her husband died, and later moved to Danielsville, Georgia. basket weaving A PDF transcript exists for this recording. Please contact an archivist for access. 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 in a position to choose how individuals and organizations are represented and described in our archives. We are not neutral, and bias is reflected in our descriptions, which may not convey the racist or offensive aspects of collection materials accurately. 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 language where Library of Congress subject terms are inaccurate and obsolete is ongoing. 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 emailing reference@atlantahistorycenter.com. Your comments are essential to our work to create inclusive and thoughtful description.