OH224 Joe Pat Ward Oral History
Collection Title
Jackson Purchase Oral History Project - Kentucky Dam Project
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Series Number
OH224
Interviewee
Ward, Joe Pat
Interviewer
Meyer, Jeff
Date Interviewed
October 15th, 1994
Processed by
Dieter C. Ulrich
Date Processed
November 22nd, 2013
Description
1 sound disc (34 minutes)
Abstract
Joe Part Ward discusses his employment as head mail clerk for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) during the construction of the Kentucky Dam. He describes the living conditions and lack of industry in the region prior to the building of the dam. He recalls working on the family farm, the Great Depression, being hired by the TVA, work conditions, salaries, duties he performed, work related accidents, race relations, and the benefits of the dam to the region.
Biographical/Historical Note
Joe Pat Ward was born in Calloway County, Kentucky on August 17th, 1923. He was raised and educated in the county. Before being hired by the Tennessee Valley Authority, he worked on the family farm and was a mill laborer at Murray (Kentucky) Milk Products Company. He worked for the TVA from the spring of 1941, to the spring of 1943. He was drafted into the United States Army in March of 1943. He saw combat duty in three major campaigns in Europe. He returned to Calloway County in 1946 but did not work for the TVA.
General Information
No user access to original recordings. Use audio user copies, digital derivatives, transcripts, and/or tape indexes. This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code). Permission for reproduction must be requested from Murray State University.
Subject Headings/Descriptors
Ward, Joe Pat, 1923-
Calloway County (Ky.)
Kentucky Dam (Ky.)
Tennessee Valley Authority.
Dams - Kentucky.
Land Between the Lakes (Ky. And Tenn.) - History.
Recommended Citation
Meyer, Jeff, "OH224 Joe Pat Ward Oral History" (2025). Kentucky Dam. 35.
https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/oh-kendam/35
Audio Transcript