Jessica Mather, Folklife Archives Intern
My name is Jessica Mather, and I am a senior at WKU. This spring, I have been working as an intern in Manuscripts & Folklife Archives in the Special Collections Library. I have really enjoyed my time here, since I have been able to work on projects that are close to my heart. Both sides of my family are from Warren County, and I have been interested in Kentucky history, genealogy and local architecture most of my life. I had been to the library several times for my own research, so I was thrilled to get the opportunity to work here.
One project I worked on was indexing a collection of folk songs. I love the old songs and am interested in how the stories of the past are carried to us through these songs. I just wish I could sing, so I could carry them on!
Another big project I worked on was creating finding aids for folklife projects. These projects contain oral histories, genealogies, photographs and other materials that are valuable resources for researchers and people like me. I enjoyed learning about communities both near my home and in other parts of Kentucky. I also got to transcribe a taped interview with a woman who worked as a teacher in a coal mining community. Wow! What an experience! I’m glad I got to be a part of making these resources easier for people to search and discover the treasures we have here in the Kentucky Library & Museum.