By Lori Myers-Steele and Samuel Gleaves
Title: Phillip J. Obermiller Papers and Appalachian Migration Research Collection, 1950-2013
Primary Creator: Obermiller, Phillip J.
Extent: 27.0 MS boxes
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged in seven series: Writings and Correspondence, Urban Appalachian Council, Research Committee, Urban Appalachian Council, Subject Files, Newspaper Series on Appalachian Migration, Articles and Bibliographies and Audio Visual Materials.
The collection was processed in December 2014 by Samuel Gleaves, Archives Processing Assistant. The finding aid was created by Lori Myers-Steele, Collections Archivist, with the help of Samuel Gleaves.
Subjects: Appalachian Festival., Appalachian Region., Appalachians (People) -- Migrations., Appalachian Studies., Appalachian Studies Association., Council of the Southern Mountains., Jones, Loyal -- 1928-, Maloney, Michael E., Mynatt, Ernie, Obermiller, Phillip J., Ohio, Cincinnati., Philliber, William W. -- 1943-, Rural-urban migration -- Southern States -- History., Urban Appalachian Council., Wagner, Thomas E.
Languages: English
Born in North Canton, Ohio, Phillip J. Obermiller, is a sociologist, scholar, and advocate for urban Appalachians. While not from Appalachia, Obermiller’s experience growing up in a family of European migrants living in a company town echoed the experience of Appalachians who he came to serve through his work. Obermiller came to the Appalachian Studies wing of the Appalachian movement from the neighborhood level. In the mid-1960s, while attending Catholic seminary in Cincinnati, Obermiller was mentored by Ernie Mynatt, a social worker tending to the city’s Appalachian migrant community. Working with Mynatt and Michael Maloney Obermiller helped to establish the Urban Appalachian Council (UAC) in 1974. The UAC developed into a regional resource and educational center for Appalachian affairs, promoting pride in cultural heritage among urban Appalachians. Obermilller actively participated in the UAC’s Research Committee, producing studies and writings on the social issues facing urban Appalachians.
In addition to his work with the UAC, Obermiller has been involved in the Appalachian Studies Association since its beginnings (serving as president in 2005-2006) and is known for his advocacy of quantitative research and interdisciplinary collaboration in the field. In addition to his numerous publications, Obermiller has provided consulting, training, and evaluation services for many urban education and welfare organizations in Cincinnati and elsewhere. Obermiller holds graduate degrees in philosophy and theology from the Athenaeum of Ohio and in sociology from the Union Institute. He has taught Appalachian Studies at the University of Cincinnati and Edgecliff College and has served as a tenured associate professor at Northern Kentucky University, a research associate at the University of Kentucky and visiting scholar at the University of Cincinnati’s School of Urban Planning. Living in Cincinnati, Obermiller continues his academic and advocacy work.
Appalachian Festival.
Appalachian Region.
Appalachians (People) -- Migrations.
Appalachian Studies.
Appalachian Studies Association.
Council of the Southern Mountains.
Jones, Loyal -- 1928-
Maloney, Michael E.
Mynatt, Ernie
Obermiller, Phillip J.
Ohio, Cincinnati.
Philliber, William W. -- 1943-
Rural-urban migration -- Southern States -- History.
Urban Appalachian Council.
Wagner, Thomas E.
Repository: Berea College Special Collections and Archives Catalog
Access Restrictions: There are no known restrictions on the collection other than federal copyright regulations. Please cite all references to this collection. Records can be accessed through the Reading Room, Berea College Special Collections and Archives, Hutchins Library, Berea College.
Related Materials:
Related Berea College Collections:
Urban Appalachian Council (UAC) Records 1930 – 1994
Appalachian Studies Association Records
Council of the Southern Mountains Records, 1912-1970
Council of the Southern Mountains Records, 1970-1989
Council of the Southern Mountains Oral History Project Collection
Related Publications:
Selected Bibliography:
Too Few Tomorrows: Urban Appalachians in the 1980s. Phillip J. Obermiller and William Philliber, eds. Appalachian Consortium Press, 1987.
Appalachia in an International Context: Cross-National Comparisons in Developing Regions. Phillip J. Obermiller and William Philliber, eds. Praeger, 1994.
From Mountain to Metropolis: Appalachian Migrants in American Cities. Kathryn Borman and Phillip J. Obermiller, eds. Bergin & Garvey, 1994.
Down Home, Downtown: Urban Appalachians Today. Phillip J. Obermiller, ed. Kendall/Hunt, 1996.
Valuing Our Past, Creating Our Future: The Story of the Urban Appalachian Council. Thomas Wagner and Phillip J. Obermiller, eds. Berea College Press, 1999.
Appalachian Odyssey: Historical Perspectives on Appalachian Migration. Phillip J. Obermiller, Thomas Wagner and E. Bruce Tucker, eds. Praeger, 2000.
African American Miners and Migrants: The Eastern Kentucky Social Club. Thomas Wagner and Phillip J. Obermiller, University of Illinois Press, 2004.
Appalachia: Social Context Past and Present. Phillip J. Obermiller and Michael E. Maloney, eds. Fifth Edition, Kendall/Hunt, 2007.
Appalachian Health and Well Being. Robert Ludke and Phillip J. Obermiller, eds. University Press of Kentucky, 2012.
Interview with Phillip Obermiller, June 30, 2014. Catherine Herdman, Interviewer. 2014OH119 APP 606 Appalachian Studies Oral History Project. Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.
Studying Appalachian Studies: Making the Path by Walking. Chad Berry, Phillip J. Obermiller and Shaunna L. Scott, eds. University of Illinois Press, 2015.
Preferred Citation: [Record identification], Phillip Obermiller Papers and Appalachian Migration Research Collection 1950 – 2013, Berea College Special Collections & Archives, Berea, KY.
Processing Information: The collection was processed in December 2014 by Samuel Gleaves, Archives Processing Assistant. The finding aid was created by Lori Myers-Steele, Collections Archivist, with the help of Samuel Gleaves.
Other Note:
Selected materials from this collection have been digitized and are located here: https://berea.access.preservica.com/archive/sdb%3Acollection%7C01be5e50-a64b-4ffb-84a6-9ab21b0d9a66/
The collection was opened for research in December 2004.
BCA 0175 SAA 172
Obermiller, Phillip & Panel. "Appalachian Culture - Audio Tape Number One." J. Watkins, P. Obermiller and Program in Community Health Planning Admin. University of Cincinnati, 1977.
Interview with Stuart Faber regarding the history of the Urban Appalachian Council in Cincinnati, Ohio recorded by Tom Wagner and Phil Obermiller. Np nd
VHS "Appalachians: The Silent Minority." Roy Flynn. Greater Dayton Public Television, Inc., 1996.
VHS "Going to Chicago from California" Newsreel. 1:09:22 minutes.
VHS "Keeping Community - East End Voices." 55:18 minutes. Distributed by TV Image, Cincinnati, OH.
VHS Lower Price Hill Community School (Cincinnati, Ohio). "Windows of Opportunity." 8:05 mins.
VHS "Mountain Shadow: Four Appalachian Artists." Songs - Katie Laur; Photography - Dee Smart; Poetry - Brenda Saylor; Storytelling - Omope Carter Daboiku. Distributed by TV Image, Inc. Cincinnati, Ohio, 1997.
VHS "Strange Lands, Familiar Places." [Conference Presentations] 1. Storytellers and Songwriters 11-31-89. 2. Changing Places 11-16-8., 3. Culture and Identity 11-21-89. 1 of 2 MISSING "Strange Lands, Familiar Places." [Conference Presentations] 1. Storytellers and Songwriters 11-31-89. 2. Changing Places 11-16-8., 3. Culture and Identity 11-21-89. 2 of 2
"The Will to Read: Estel Sizemore's Story." "Ohio" Version. Music sound track by Katie Laur and Ed Cunningham. Produced by Voyageur Media Group, Cincinnati, Ohio, 2000.
"These Old Buildings Raised Our Many Children." (Cincinnati, Ohio) 28:13 minutes.
