Interview with James O. Jones, May 27, 1997

Partial Transcript: This is an oral history with James O. Jones for the Kentucky Historical Society Oral History Project entitled "The Daily Aesthetic."

Segment Synopsis: The purpose of the interview is given, and the interviewee, James O. Jones, is introduced. Jones gives his date of birth, birth place and a brief family history.

Keywords: Family histories; Relatives

Subjects: African American families; Blacks in Lexington; Lexington (Ky.)

Partial Transcript: And so when--and so where did you grow up in, in Lexington?

Segment Synopsis: James describes what it was like growing up in the east end of Lexington, and being raised by his grandmother. He also talks about some events that were organized in the neighborhood.

Keywords: Charles Young Community Center; East End Lexington; Segregated housing; Sports

Subjects: African Americans--Segregation; Douglass Park (Lexington, Ky.)

Partial Transcript: Well you know before they built Charles Young in the thirties they used to have, um, events in Douglass Park.

Segment Synopsis: He talks about how there was always something happening at the park on holidays and Sunday afternoons.

Keywords: "Smoke" Richardson's Orchestra; Leisure activities; Local music; Picnics; Racial segregation

Subjects: Blacks in Lexington; Lexington (Ky.)--History

Partial Transcript: Well you, you had talked about the park before there was a pool.

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Jones discusses how people kept cool during the summer before pools were installed in the park.

Keywords: Childhood summers; Leisure activities; Segregated parks

Subjects: Blacks in Lexington; Douglass Park (Lexington, Ky.)

Partial Transcript: I'm going to go to ano--a different band right here.

Segment Synopsis: "Smoke" Richardson's Orchestra and their music are discussed in this segment. Jones also compares the music between the Dunbar High School band and "Smoke" Richardson.

Keywords: Charles Young Community Center; Community dances; Dunbar High School Band; Entertainment; Local music; Musical recreation

Subjects: Blacks in Lexington; Lexington (Ky.)--History; Music

Partial Transcript: You mentioned professional people, pr--you know, professional folks. How would they use Charles Young Community Center?

Segment Synopsis: Jones discusses the differences between the Charles Young Center and Douglass Park. He also talks about fundraising efforts that took place.

Keywords: Charles Young Community Center; Fundraising

Subjects: Douglass Park (Lexington, Ky.)

Partial Transcript: So who, so who, so there's two people still left? Two? In the APEX?

Segment Synopsis: Jones talks about the social club that he was a member of called the Apex Club. He talks about growing up with Lucy Rowe Estill.

Keywords: Community organizations; Fundraising; Parks; Social activities; Sports activities

Subjects: Dunbar High School (Lexington, Ky.); Lexington (Ky.).

Partial Transcript: You had mentioned on this certificate here that Lucy got, Hattie H. Rowe.

Segment Synopsis: Jones discusses the Director of Recreation, Hattie H. Rowe and her removal from the park board. He discusses how the parks have changed over the years. The interview is concluded.

Keywords: Basketball courts; Charles Young Community Center; Community Recreation Institute; Director of Recreation; Hattie H. Rowe; John Well Brown; Park board; Swimming pools; Tennis courts

Subjects: Douglass Park (Lexington, Ky.); Parks--Kentucky--Management