Oral Histories
The History and Research Committee oversees this website and utilizes this forum to organize and present its work. Published work will change and grow over time, so check back often.
Examining the history of African-American life in St. Mary's County is a little like examining the lines etched deeply into a person's face or hands: much is suggested, but how much is really known without serious probing, research, and questioning?
There is, for example, Sotterley Plantation where any visitor can step inside slave quarters and learn about the lives its inhabitants led. But that is only a small part of the overall story. What lies beyond the plantation, both in geography and time?
These glimpses suggest just how much more there is to the history and culture of African Americans in St. Mary's County than most residents might realize. As witnesses to portions of that history, the above individuals, in addition to many more, link the present day county vividly with its past.
The Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions (UCAC), has taken on the task of ensuring that these glimpses are not forgotten. That they are fleshed out, put in context, and brought to the attention of the community for its own examination, enjoyment, and education. Toward that end the committee began collecting oral histories that shed light on how life has been experienced over the years, with the goal of transcribing and publishing these histories in a book. In 2006, that goal was realized with "In Relentless Pursuit of An Education."
Visit our store to purchase "In Relentless Pursuit of an Education: African American Stories from a Century of Secregation (1865 - 1967) Individuals interested in helping with the continuing program of collecting oral histories should go to the membership page to obtain more information.
The Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions (UCAC), uses a Guide for Transcriptions which you can obtain for real life history for your educational purposes. Every interview requires the informant to sign a release form. You may obtain by contacting
St. Mary's College of Maryland. The St. Mary's County Historical Society has published a Research Guide to African-American Genealogical Resources, which is in pdf format and can be downloaded from their web site (25 KB): African-American Research Guide Reprinting of any oral history material from this site requires permission from our Oral History Committee. Submitted requests are reviewed promptly.
The Oral Histories collected and transcribed by the Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions are archived within the SlackWater Archives of St. Mary's College of Maryland. The list below contains transcripts from both St. Mary's College of Maryland and UCAC interviews. If you would like to obtain an oral history contact Slackwater Archives of St. Mary's College of Maryland to the Attn. of Kent Randell.
Collecting Oral Histories
Reaching Out to America to Recognize and Record African American History "If you don't know your history, you're destined to live it again. People made great sacrifices for this country to be where it is today. And, it's a universal sacrifice on both sides of the fence. But unfortunately, our history has reflected more of one side than the other. People need to understand the contributions that have been made to make this country what it is." ~ Alonzo Gaskin If your story is short and sweet, please feel free to use the simple form below. If you'd like to send your story via Word doc, pdf or email, or if you'd like to speak with someone about doing an oral history interview, please contact us.
In Her Own Words: Eliza Isabel Waters
Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions members were saddened to learn of the recent passing at age 93, of Eliza Isabel Waters. We are so grateful to have a recording of her video interview and we are happy to be able to share it here.
UCAC History and Research Committee members interviewed Ms. Waters on October 19, 2016. She was then one of five surviving students of Drayden African American School in Drayden, MD. The school operated from 1890 to 1942 during the era of segregated schooling.