Interview with Joseph Watson [DVD]

Publication

-

Historic Charleston Foundation

Joseph Watson

Joseph Watson

Name/Title

Interview with Joseph Watson [DVD]

Entry/Object ID

2017.002.015

Description

Interview with Joseph Watson, owner of the corner store located at 72 America Street. Watson recalls growing up on the East Side and the change that took place over his 67 years of living there. He discusses his mother at length and her strength and resilience to do whatever it took to raise her children as a single mom working several jobs. His mother, Mary Watson, opened up a restaurant in the same location where Watson's corner store is currently located, and called it Watson's Grill. Watson's ancestors were enslaved in Eutawville before the Civil War and were moved to this area to work on a local plantation. After freedom, two of the brothers were able to buy 72 acres in Parker's Ferry. Mr. Watson notes the changes in the boundaries of the east side, state of the schools in the area, involvement in the BAR, and addition of a community council. He worries that the cultural character of the neighborhood may get lost and the kind community and integrity that they have will be gone due to gentrification. Watson is able to recall several stores and landmarks that used to be in the area and different ethnicities of people living in the Eastside. Joseph Watson is committed to his community and wants to see his neighbors thrive. He finishes his interview saying, "Our Constitution says we. It didn't leave no one out, and we must make an effort to make sure everyone can have a job. And that's why I wanted and still want to start with our training program now." He intends to help everyone he can and empower the members of the East Side to want the best for themselves. Recorded as part of HCF's "Changing Neighborhoods" series, made possible by a grant from the SC Humanities Commission. Date of interview: June 29, 2017. Interview conducted by April Wood (HCF) in Mr. Watson's shop at 72 America Street. Leigh Moring (HCF), videographer. 1 DVD: 1:09:06 Digital files (MP3/audio and MP4/video) on MyPassport-OralHistory (external hard drive)

Collection

HCF Oral History Collection

Acquisition

Accession

2017.002

Source or Donor

New Library Catalog Records (2017)

Acquisition Method

Found in Collection

Lexicon

Search Terms

East Side, America Street, Lowcountry Digital Library, Changing Neighborhoods, Watson, Joseph Lee--Interviews, Neighborhoods--South Carolina--Charleston, African Americans--South Carolina--Charleston--Social life and customs, Charleston (S.C.)--Social life and customs, Gentrification--South Carolina--Charleston

Legacy Lexicon

Object Name

Oral History

Publication Details

Author

Watson, Joseph Lee

Series

Historic Charleston Foundation Oral History Project

Date Published

2017

Notes

Copy No.: 1

Location

Location

Container

DVD (Videos) Box 1

Shelf

AV Materials

Room

Margaretta P. Childs Archives

Building

Missroon House

Category

Permanent

Date

February 7, 2023

General Notes

Note

Notes: Consent Form and transcript on Media link. MP3 (audio) and MP4 (video) files on MyPassport hard drive. Editorial (12/14/2019) about his mother, him, and the revitalization of the East Side on Media tab.

Created By

admin@catalogit.app

Create Date

September 27, 2017

Updated By

admin@catalogit.app

Update Date

February 17, 2023