Collection Title: Jackson Purchase Oral History Project – Kentucky Dam Project
Series Number: OH224
Interviewee: Ward, Joe Pat
Interviewer: Meyer, Jeff
Date interviewed: October 15, 1995
Processed by: Dieter C. Ullrich on November 22, 2013.
Date processed: November 22, 2013
Description: 1 sound disc (34 minutes)
Abstract: Joe Pat Ward discusses his employment as head mail clerk for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) during the construction of the Kentucky Dam. He describes the living conditions and lack of industry in the region prior to the building of the dam. He recalls working on the family farm, the Great Depression, being hired by the TVA, work conditions, salaries, duties he performed, work related accidents, race relations and the benefits of the dam to the region.
Biographical / Historical note: Joe Pat Ward was born in Calloway County, Kentucky on August 17, 1923. He was raised and educated in the county. Before being hired by the Tennessee Valley Authority he worked on the family farm and was a mill laborer at Murray (Kentucky) Milk Products Company. He worked for the TVA from the spring of 1941 to the spring of 1943. He was drafted into the United States Army in March of 1943. He saw combat duty in three major campaigns in Europe. He returned to Calloway County in 1946 but did not work for the TVA.
General information: No user access to original recordings. Use audio user copies, digital derivatives, transcripts, and/or tape indexes. This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code). Permission for reproduction must be requested from Murray State University.
Subject Headings / Descriptors:
Ward, Joe Pat, 1923-
Calloway County (Ky.)
Kentucky Dam (Ky.)
Tennessee Valley Authority.
Dams – Kentucky.
Land Between the Lakes (Ky. And Tenn.) – History.
