Reginald James
Title
Reginald James
Subject
Historic Everyday Life in West Augustine
Description
The interview between Charlie Philips and Reginald James was conducted in James’ home in West Augustine. James is a born local of West Augustine since his birth in 1951 and has lived in the area ever since.
The two discuss buildings that James finds significant, such as the local school, and churches near his childhood home, such as a church on Pearl Street. James lists several churches when recalling notable sites, and tells having been a member of Zion Missionary Baptist Church for over fifty years. He also describes domestic life as he experienced it; modest means of basic electricity, a party line telephone, outdoors privies, baths in wash tubs, and pump wells instead of indoor plumbing. James describes aspects of his childhood accomplishments, such as purchasing a car, and his parent’s work; his father a commercial fisherman who eventually owned his own boat, and his mother a cook at a restaurant.
A common theme is locations and buildings in the West Augustine area; churches, schools, grocery stores, bars—James recalls in detail the locations and features of establishments, and notes several bars that were segregated, with back entrances for colored people. James obviously knew the area he lived in very well and has held fondness for its details and significance.
The two discuss buildings that James finds significant, such as the local school, and churches near his childhood home, such as a church on Pearl Street. James lists several churches when recalling notable sites, and tells having been a member of Zion Missionary Baptist Church for over fifty years. He also describes domestic life as he experienced it; modest means of basic electricity, a party line telephone, outdoors privies, baths in wash tubs, and pump wells instead of indoor plumbing. James describes aspects of his childhood accomplishments, such as purchasing a car, and his parent’s work; his father a commercial fisherman who eventually owned his own boat, and his mother a cook at a restaurant.
A common theme is locations and buildings in the West Augustine area; churches, schools, grocery stores, bars—James recalls in detail the locations and features of establishments, and notes several bars that were segregated, with back entrances for colored people. James obviously knew the area he lived in very well and has held fondness for its details and significance.
Creator
West Augustine Oral History Project
Contributor
Charlie Hall, Intro to Public History 2021; Stefanie DeFazio Digital Humanities Intern 2022
Language
English
Identifier
OH-236
Date Created
March 3, 2016
Duration
1:28:49
Interviewer
Charlie Philips
Interviewee
Reginald James
Collection
Citation
West Augustine Oral History Project, “Reginald James,” accessed May 10, 2024, https://publichumanities.omeka.net/items/show/441.