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Oral Histories

The SFA oral history program documents life stories from the American South. Collecting these stories, we honor the people whose labor defines the region.

ORAL HISTORY

Makeley Lewis

Makeley Lewis was born May 4, 1925 on Harkers Island. His father was Brady Lewis, the famed boatbuilder credited with developing the flared bow boat, a signature of Harkers Island traditional boat craft. Brady Lewis built boats “by the eye” which meant that wooden boats, made of juniper and heart pine, were built from memory.

Mr. Lewis remembers the now historic Jean Dale being built in his family’s shed. He was a fisherman and boat builder, who followed the trades of his father and grandfather. Though he’ll admit that money was scarce, fishing was a love that he pursued all his life.

Note: Mr. Lewis’s slideshow contains only photographs, no audio.

Date of interview:
2016-05-03

Interviewer:
Keia Mastrianni and Mike Moore

Photographer:
Keia Mastrianni

Download Transcript

“

I love fish. I wasn’t making no money but I loved to do it. ~ Makeley Lewis

Other Project Interviews

Interview

Randy Wade

Randy Wade is a lifelong shrimper, who began working the waters off Harkers Island as a young boy.

Interview

Mila Guthrie

Mila Willis Guthrie and her husband, Barry, opened Seaside Galley on Harkers Island in 1986.

Interview

Jan Gillikin

Jan Gillikin is a celebrated cook and a prolific contributor to Island Born and Bred, one of the island’s most lauded…

Interview

Ira Lewis

Ira Lewis was born on August 2, 1918 and spent many years as a waterman of a different kind.

Interview

Emma Rose Guthrie

Emma Rose Guthrie was born on March 21, 1933 on Harkers Island. She spent her days on the water, fishing, clamming, and…

Interview

Eddie Willis

Eddie Willis began making a living fishing by age thirteen. He opened Mr. Big Seafood, with his father in 1976.

WORKING TOGETHER

WE CAN CULTIVATE PROGRESS.

The Southern Foodways Alliance drives a more progressive future by leading conversations that challenge existing constructs, shape perspectives, and foster meaningful discussions. We reconsider the past with research, scrutiny, and documentation.

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