Oral history interview with William Lewis Barnes, 19 December 2002.
(Document/manuscript/pamphlet/archival material)

Materials housed in Special Collections Division of the Main Library, Nashville Public Library.

The interview consists of a transcript and sound recordings in two formats: 2 original audio cassettes recorded in 2002; and a set of 3 data CDs containing MP3 files (a master, a copy master, and a use copy). The original cassettes were digitized during a conversion project in 2006.

In library use only. Available by appointment.

Scope and content: Oral history interview with Nashville Civil Rights Movement participant William Lewis Barnes, conducted on 19 December 2002 by Ed Hamlett as part of the Nashville Public Library's Civil Rights Oral History Project. During the 1 hour and 30 minute interview, Barnes discusses such topics as experiencing segregation while growing up in Nashville; attending McKendree Methodist Church; attending Vanderbilt University and Yale Divinity School; his Army service during the Korean War; serving as pastor to Nashville churches and trying to integrate church services; Carroll Street United Methodist Church; urban renewal in the Edgehill neighborhood; the Tennessee Council on Human Relations; working with Laura McRae; ministering to the gay and lesbian community in Edgehill; the Faith Sharing Group; and riots in Nashville during 1967 and 1968.

Cite as: Oral history interview with William Lewis Barnes, Civil Rights Oral History Project, Special Collections Division, Nashville Public Library.

This material may be protected by copyright law (Title 17 U.S. Code)

Born in Nashville in 1931, William Barnes grew up and attended school in segregated Nashville. He attended McKendree Methodist Church, Vanderbilt University, and Yale Divinity School. He entered the Army in 1953, serving in Europe and working in cryptography. Barnes returned to Nashville in 1960. From 1962 to 1966 he served as pastor of the Carroll Street United Methodist Church. He then pastored in the Edgehill community. He served as Vice President from Middle Tennessee on the Tennessee Council on Human Relations.

In English.

Transcript available in repository.

Forms part of: Civil Rights Oral History Project.