Historic Explorations

Roy Castle: A Life of Faith, Labor, and Community

In this compile of reflective interviews, Roy Frank Castle shares the story of a life deeply rooted in the coalfields of southwest Virginia and shaped by service, faith, and a lasting love for people and place. Growing up in the coal town of Dante, Roy talks about the values learned early in life—hard work, responsibility, and loyalty—that guided him through every chapter that followed. Roy discusses his time serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, returning home to meet and marry the love of his life, Jean Fleenor Castle, and building a 67-year marriage grounded in devotion, faith, and shared purpose. He reflects on spending 45 years working as a coal miner for Clinchfield and Pittston Coal, the pride he took in his work, and the bonds formed with fellow miners underground. The conversation explores Roy’s involvement in the 1989 Pittston Coal Strike and the broader meaning of that period for miners, families, and the labor movement. Roy speaks about the importance of union solidarity, sacrifice, and standing together for fairness and dignity—values that remained central to his life long after he retired from the mines. A significant portion of the interview focuses on Roy’s time as mayor of Castlewood during one of the most challenging periods in the town’s history. He reflects on being elected to lead a newly incorporated town and the difficult responsibility of guiding residents through the decision to dissolve the town charter in the late 1990s. Roy discusses the financial pressures facing the community, the emotional debates among neighbors, and his belief that true leadership meant listening carefully and carrying out the will of the people—even when it meant ending his own role as mayor. Beyond labor and public office, Roy reflects on a lifetime of community service. He discusses his decades as a deacon at Calvary Baptist Church, volunteer work with the Dante Rescue Squad, helping neighbors as the community’s trusted “furnace man,” and placing American flags throughout Castlewood as a sign of pride and remembrance. Throughout the interview, Roy returns to a simple belief: service is not about recognition, but responsibility. This episode offers a warm and thoughtful portrait of a man who loved his family, valued his friends, and dedicated his life to the community he called home. It is a conversation about faith, work, leadership, and the quiet ways a life of service leaves a lasting legacy.

Secrets in the Walls: The Mystery of Big Stone Gap’s Minor Building

When the Minor Building first rose in 1908, it symbolized Big Stone Gap’s optimism during a time of rapid industrial growth. Designed with classical architectural elements and built to serve a bustling Appalachian town, the structure quickly became more than just an office space—it became a community hub. Over the years, it housed a well-known dentist office, and it provided meeting space for the local Masonic lodge, whose members carried out generations of tradition within its walls. Eventually, the building transitioned into the corporate headquarters of the Westmoreland Mining Company, a dominant force in the region’s coal economy. During that early era of excitement and expansion, workers placed a time capsule inside the building—sealed in 1908 and hidden for more than a century. More than 117 years later, when a local couple purchased the aging structure, they never expected the building to reveal such a layered past. What began as a restoration project soon became a full-scale historical uncovering. As they walked through old rooms, examined the original architecture, and uncovered remnants left by dentists, lodge members, and mining executives alike, the couple realized they were stepping into a preserved story of community life, labor, and local memory. Their discoveries deepened when they found a forgotten collection of photographs and documents from the 1970s through the early 1990s—visual records of daily operations at Westmoreland Mining. These photos revealed the people who worked there, the offices they occupied, and the routines that shaped decades of Appalachian industry. The images helped map the building’s evolution, capturing not only corporate life but the small, human details that connected the Minor Building to generations of residents. Then came the building’s greatest revelation: a 1908 time capsule hidden within its walls since the day construction finished. Inside were newspapers, civic documents, symbolic items, and artifacts offering a vivid snapshot of life in early 20th-century Big Stone Gap. The capsule connected the building’s earliest purpose—before the dentist’s drill hummed or the Masonic lodge met—to the aspirations of the town’s founders. Opening it was like hearing a voice from the past, reminding the community of who they were and who they hoped to become. This episode takes listeners inside that remarkable journey. From the building’s multifunctional past—medical care, fraternal gatherings, industrial management—to its rediscovery and rebirth, we explore how its new owners have become caretakers of Big Stone Gap’s heritage. As they work to transform the Minor Building into an antique mall, they aim to honor every layer of its history, displaying artifacts, preserving stories, and creating a place where visitors can feel the past in the present. This is the story of a building that never stopped remembering—and of a community rediscovering itself through what it left behind.

Faith on the Front Lines: The Remarkable Journey of Rev. Don Parker, WWII Veteran

Rev. Donald G. Parker's journey from college student to decorated World War II veteran is a story of courage, faith, and resilience. Drafted while attending the University of Pittsburgh, Parker was sent to Camp Gruber in Oklahoma for training before being assigned to the 42nd Infantry Division. In this moving interview, Rev. Parker recalls pivotal moments of his service, including a memorable encounter with General George Patton and his deployment to Utah Beach—just six days after D-Day. His stories transport us to a time of incredible sacrifice, bravery, and purpose. Among the most powerful memories he shares are the ones that earned him his honors. Rev. Parker was awarded the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart after sustaining shrapnel wounds to both feet. He recounts his time in military hospitals with vivid clarity—from his recovery at the 22nd General Hospital near Weymouth to a harrowing voyage aboard the hospital ship Larkspur, which lost its propeller mid-sea and had to be towed to Newport, Wales. Twenty-two days later, he arrived in Charleston, South Carolina, and found comfort in the warm visit of USO volunteers at Stark General Hospital. Faith was Rev. Parker’s constant companion throughout the war. He credits his survival and perseverance to a deep trust in God, which became the anchor of his life during and after combat. “God is first, your family is second. That’s it,” he says—words that reflect the strength of a man who never let go of his purpose, even amid chaos. His unwavering belief sustained him through unimaginable trials and continues to guide him to this day. After the war, Parker was honorably discharged as a Private First Class and returned to finish what he started. He earned his Bachelor's in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and later pursued a Bachelor’s in Divinity at Gordon Divinity School. His calling led him to a life of ministry and service, a mission just as impactful as his time in uniform. Today, at 101 years old, Rev. Don Parker remains a pillar of faith and inspiration in Abingdon, Virginia. Nearly every Sunday, you can find him at Cleveland Presbyterian Church, joyfully singing hymns and greeting neighbors with a smile. His life is not only a testament to the Greatest Generation but also a reminder that hope, courage, and belief can carry us through anything.

Historic Buildings of Appalachia Virginia

Tabitha Hibbitts Grieger with Appalachia Rising Ventures talks with us inside the Historic Peake Building in Appalachia, VA, on their restoration journey on the town's historic buildings. Tabitha and her husband John started Appalachia Rising Ventures when they purchased the Peake Building in October 2023. They now own the Peake Building, Lavigne Building, and Western Auto (former Pet/Flav-O-Rich diary distribution warehouse.) The buildings dating back to the 1920s were designed (notably the Peake Building) by a local architect named John Clayton Gibson. Tabitha has spoken to some of Gibson's descendants, who have provided her with information on the history of the buildings. You can learn more about Appalachia Rising Ventures at the following link. https://linktr.ee/AppalachianRisingVentures

Dante Coal & Railroad Museum

Nestled in the mountains of southwest Virginia is a little community called Dante. In the early 20th century, Dante was a booming coal mine community like many other towns in the surrounding region. In 2003, the Dante Coal & Railroad Museum was opened by many who wanted to preserve Dante's coal heritage. The museum holds many artifacts and pictures from long ago that give visitors insight into what life was once like in Dante. I had the pleasure of sitting down with the museum's curator, Ms. Bobbi Gullett for an interview. Ms. Gullett spoke about her time growing up in Dante, her family (her father and grandfather were coal miners), places of employment, and the opening of the museum.