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The Digital Blue Ridge Parkway

Oral History Interview with Larry Hampton, December 16, 2003

Transcript (15 p.) PDF
Complete Audio File (MP3 format / ca. 78 MB, 42:37) MP3
Abstract Larry Hampton, a native of Watauga County, came to work on the Blue Ridge Parkway in 1978 as a maintenance worker. Having worked almost exclusively on the Moses H. Cone Estate, he became the Historic Preservation Shop supervisor in 1991. During this interview, Hampton and the interviewer drive around the Cone Estate and the surrounding area while Hampton gives tidbits of information about various landmarks and locations. He provides the most detail about the Cone Estate, but also touches on Sheets Cabin, the Lump, Blue Ridge Baptist Church, Benge Gap, Cool Spring Baptist Church, Boone's Trace, Aho Gap, Bamboo Gap, and various campgrounds and overlooks. Hampton also discusses the restoration process, including how they attempt to use the same materials that are in the original plans. He also talks about maintaining the landscape and how his perspective may be unique because he is a lifelong resident of the area.
Date December 16, 2003
Interviewee Hampton, Larry
Interviewee occupation Historic Preservation Shop supervisor
Interviewee DOB 1951
Interviewer Coyle, Philip E.
Subject Moses H. Cone Estate
Maintenance
Landscape restoration