University of North Carolina at Asheville
D. Hiden Ramsey Library
Special Collections/University Archives

Oral History Register
for

Margo Beach Coggins

OH-VOA C641 Ma

Voices of Asheville Oral History Collection
D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNCA

Title

Creator

Dorothy Joynes for Voices of Asheville Oral History Collection

Subject

LCSH:
Coggins, Margo Beach
Asheville (N.C.) -- History
Art museums -- North Carolina -- Asheville

Subject

Keyword: Asheville Symphony Guild ; Asheville Art Museum Auxiliary ; Beaucatcher Cut ; the Muses ; All Souls Episcopal Church ; League of Women Voters

Description

Abstract: Coggins discusses changes in Asheville in the years since she arrived, and refers to her husband's business interests, including hair tonic. She describes how she and her husband decided to build their current house near an abandoned quarry on Sunset Mountain. They have incorporated an old city reservoir into their garden. Their swimming pool was damaged during blasting for the Interstate 240 open cut through Beaucatcher Mountain. She discusses other effects of this project, such as noise. She discusses her views on Asheville and its future, and her political views. Coggins discusses her interest in music, and her involvement with musical groups and guilds.  She describes her experience with her own radio show, her involvement in the League of Women Voters, and her term of office as the second president of a support group for the Art Museum, the Muses.

Publisher

D. H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville, NC, 28804

Contributor

Date

Electronic Record Issued: 2002-04-09

Type

Sound ; Text ; Image

Format

Physical Description: 4-page abstract ; 1 90-minute audiocassette and 1 copy ; 7 color photographs ; newspaper articles and brochures

Identifier

Source

OH-VOA C641 Ma

Language

English

Relation

References: VOA Charles and Eleanor Rawls Oral History

Coverage

Acquisition

Donor number: 146 ;  Date of acquisition: 1998

Processed By

Dorothy Joynes, Ruth Beard and staff

Interview Date

Interview Location

Biography

List of names

Side 1:

Reviews Ban Dan (hair tonic developed and sold by husband before their marriage, stopped because glycerin restricted in war time. Copyright sold to Breck)

[21] She was born in Bethel, Ohio (outside Cincinnati) and had early musical experiences as a child.  When she moved to Asheville with her mother she joined musical groups and has always been involved in the guild and part of the current Musical Feasts (see enclosure).

[106]  She was second president of the Art Museum support group - the Muses - now the Auxiliary.

[112]  For several years she had a radio program from 11-11:15 for women.  She invited guests to discuss their fields - e.g. new director of ACT.

[145] Her husband is interested in making organizations work, she is interested in the cultural aspect.  Musical events were held at the Grove Park Inn and the Manor Inn art exhibits and sales.  Picnic and art shows in the Park were popular. [George Coggins]

[224]  She discusses Asheville when she first came.  The city was small and people knew each other.

[290]  The old water reservoir, which is on their property, is now a sunken garden.   She opens this to groups supporting good causes.

[311]  While living in Biltmore Forest to be close to school for daughter (Copper) the Coggins discovered the old abandoned quarry.  Despite one builder's belief that a house could not be built on the property, Douglas Ellington saw possibilities, gave advice, and they went from there. [Copper Coggins]

[556]  The swimming pool, dug into the granite in back of the house, was blasted out when the dynamiting for the cut [through Beaucatcher Mountain] hit a vein.

Side 2:

[2/5]  More about Ban Dan and the sun dried bricks with turkey tracks used in the fireplace (George photo in front of fireplace - tracks don't show)  [John Wesley Coggins]

[2/25]  More about the blasting and the pool.

[2/54]  Effect of road sounds is muted with the thermo pane windows (can be detected on side 1).

[2/62]  She was encouraged to take part in the political scene and was, for many years, a member of the League of Women Voters. [Marjorie Lockwood, Florence Ryan, Barbara Keleher]

[2/149] She discusses her only child, her schooling at Country Day School, now called Carolina Day [Copper Coggins]

[2/186]  She has two granddaughters and they, with their mother live in a home designed by George on family land.  Copper is a psychologist and works as a mediator.   [Meda, Kore, Copper Coggins]

[2/217]  More about her radio program.

[2/258]  More about political views.

[2/279]  She has been active in All Souls Episcopal Church.

[2/284]  She was first chairman of publicity with the Muses when it was on the 7th floor of the Bank - now BB&T Building.

[2/326]  More about the Symphony Guild.

[2/334]  An overview of Asheville. Outsiders are accepted and changes are welcome.   The area attracts people who like a quieter life.  Hopes it won't grow too much. 

Thanks

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