John Miller, Jr. oral history interview 2, 2011 September 14
Dates
- 2011-09-14
Summary
In this interview John Miller, Jr., Superintendent of Green Acres Rest Home in Charlotte, North Carolina, from 1961 to 1982, continues to describe life at the rest home from his childhood through his time as superintendent. He shares memories of specific families who worked there and of men who influenced him as a boy and recalls trips into Charlotte. Other topics discussed include the older county home, management of the black facility, suicides that occurred at Green Acres, African-American education pre-integration, local church involvement with the rest home, construction of new buildings and the lake, the neighboring Industrial Home for Girls and the laundry service it provided, and farming operations after he became superintendent. Miller also recalls his father’s death and his mother’s retirement and explains the transition of the County Home from a public institution to a private business. He discusses his creation of a statewide association for rest home operators and recounts the county’s decision to build a hospital on County Home land, his subsequent decision to step down from the business, and the rest home’s move to downtown Charlotte.
Biographical Note
John Miller, Jr. was a 81-year-old man at the time of interview, which took place in his office in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was born in Pineville, North Carolina in 1930. He was educated at Newell High School, Wingate College, and North Carolina State College and was employed as a real estate agent and superintendent of Green Acres Rest Home in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Extent
108 Minutes
Language of Materials
English
- African Americans -- Segregation Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Agriculture -- North Carolina -- Mecklenburg County Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Green Acres Rest Home (Charlotte, N.C.)
- Miller, John S., Jr. (John Sutton), 1930-
- Rest homes Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Repository Details
Part of the Oral Histories, J. Murrey Atkins Library Special Collections and University Archives, UNC Charlotte Repository
Atkins Library, UNC Charlotte
9201 University City Blvd
Charlotte NC 28223 United States
spec-coll@uncc.edu