Oral History
Eugene Farrar - On Black builders
Interviewed by Kathy Atwater and George Barrett on March 11, 2023
"The only way our history can get told right, is that we have to tell it."
- Eugene Farrar
In this oral history, Eugene Farrar gives an account of growing up in Chapel Hill as well as his lineage of Black builders. Farrar discusses his uncle, James Blacknell, who was a rock mason at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also discusses his father, who was the best cement layer in town, having laid all the driveways on Estes Drive. Farrar also reflects on his life and career, having left Chapel Hill in 1963 in the pursuit of a career. He reflects fondly on his upbringing and lineage, telling us about his grandfather and early childhood memories. He emphasizes the hard-work and resiliency of his family and community, and urges the Jackson Center to continue preserving living history.
