Ben Heiman Folklore Collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: BCA 0062 SAA 062

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Heiman collection includes journals, articles, books and indexes devoted to folklore, tapes (audio and video) of storytellers and folklorists, a few manuscripts, clippings, a plan for teaching story-telling, correspondence, and many folktales. Folktale categories range from broad topics, such as fairytales, folktales, and ghost stories, to very specific topics, like log cabins or services for the dead. Many of the materials in this collection are copied from other sources.

Dates

created: 1891-1988

Creator

Heiman, Ben. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Records can be accessed through the Reading Room, Berea College Special Collections and Archives, Hutchins Library, Berea College.

Conditions Governing Use

There are no restrictions placed on this collection other than federal copyright regulations.

Extent

13.00 ms_boxes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Ben Heiman (1914-1988) told mostly Appalachian stories to thousands of children in Alabama through the library and school systems, and fostered story-telling by children. A Lieutenant Colonel in the US Air Force, Ben Heiman concluded his career at the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. He and his wife Bobbie had one daughter, Lori. After retiring in 1972, Heiman worked fulltime for volunteer organizations, specializing as a story-teller with the Huntsville libraries and the city and county school systems. Eventually a dial-in system was set up so that children could hear taped stories by "Mr. Ben" as well as hear him in person. He encouraged the children in his audiences to become storytellers themselves. Many of the stories he collected and told are Appalachian, but he also collected Afro-American and international stories and traced parallel types.

Arrangement Note

The collection is arranged in series as follows:

Series 1: Articles and Journals

Series 2: Audio-Visual Materials

Series 3: Books and Manuscripts

Series 4: Folktales

Series 5: Indexes

Series 6: Personal Works

Accruals and Additions

Ben Heiman’s papers were given to Loyal Jones by Heiman's wife; Loyal Jones later donated the papers to the Berea College Special Collections and Archives.