Helvetia Video Project

Margaret Koerner making hozablatz, a traditional yeast-raised doughnut, as Bob Campbell records footage for the Helvetia Video Project. The video project culminated in a documentary film entitled Helvetia: The Swiss of West Virginia that features descendants of 19th century Swiss immigrants sharing and discussing their music, dance, yodeling, foodways, crafts, customs, and celebrations. Photograph by Gerry Milnes, Oct 1992, Helvetia, WV.
(One of four similar photographs archive reference: GM S2620-GM S2623)

archive reference: GM S2622.

Project description:
The Milnes Collection contains audio-visual recordings made and collected by the Augusta Heritage Center’s former Folk Arts Coordinator, Gerald Milnes. Throughout his career with Augusta, Milnes conducted field work to amass a large collection of photographs, oral histories, music, and event recordings. He recorded the bulk of the collection from the early 1970s to 2013, but the collection also includes photos and tapes with earlier dates that others sent to him.

Margaret Koerner entering the family kitchen to prepare traditional yeast-raised doughnuts during the Helvetia video project. The video project culminated in a documentary film entitled Helvetia: The Swiss of West Virginia that features descendants of 19th century Swiss immigrants sharing and discussing their music, dance, yodeling, foodways, crafts, customs, and celebrations.

archive reference: GM S2634.

Project description:
The Milnes Collection contains audio-visual recordings made and collected by the Augusta Heritage Center’s former Folk Arts Coordinator, Gerald Milnes. Throughout his career with Augusta, Milnes conducted field work to amass a large collection of photographs, oral histories, music, and event recordings. He recorded the bulk of the collection from the early 1970s to 2013, but the collection also includes photos and tapes with earlier dates that others sent to him.