Title: Interview with Louis Gaylord, J. B. Spilman, Dave Whichard, and Dr. Jim Bearden, Part 1

Identifier: UA09.01.05.01.001   (https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/60392)

Description: First half of raw footage of Professor of History and University Historian Dr. John A. Tucker's interview with Mr. Louis Gaylord, J. B. Spillman, Mr. Dave Whichard, and Dr. Jim Bearden about their recollections of Senator John F. Kennedy's September 17, 1960 visit to East Carolina College on the presidential campaign trail. Kennedy's visit was the first time a presidential nominee had visited Greenville, NC. The interview begins with an audio playback of Kennedy's introduction and his address. They discuss his morning visit to a mock sale at the tobacco warehouse, details of his route through town to the ECC football stadium, reasons Kennedy came to Greenville rather than another East Carolina town, the impacts of Kennedy's visit on Greenville and ECC, including potential impact on East Carolina College's transition to university status, factors that may have influenced Eastern NC's decision for Kennedy over Richard Nixon, and media coverage of Kennedy's visit. Secondary to these discussions the participants also reflect on their personal experiences of the day's events and the character of the Greenville environment at the time. Interview date June 6, 2008.