Johnny Merideth interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2013-12-03

About

Johnny Merideth grew up near Mammoth Cave National Park and remembers it from his childhood. He majored in geology at Western Kentucky University and honed his interpretive and presentational skills working at other local independently-owned caves before getting his Park Service job in 1996. Merideth discusses how his wife supported his "sticking it out" as a seasonal employee for a number of years before securing full-time employment, and recounts moving "up the ranks" from the perspective of someone who had worked elsewhere-unlike many other Mammoth Cave rangers. He shares stories about his first year on the job, including speaking as the authoritative cave guide for the first time in front of more than 100 people. Merideth talks about the solidarity of the working culture; various awards he has received, including "Rookie of the Year" and "Guide of the Year"; and being part of a chain in the long history of cave guiding -- a chain that includes Stephen Bishop, the renowned "slave guide." Now in a supervisory position, Merideth explains the history of the interpretive development program, his pride in this program, and his current responsibilities as "certifier."

Archive

Library of Congress, in Library of Congress

Licence or status

Rights statement at the Library of Congress, as the Library of Congress states it.

Credit

Library of Congress

Language

English

Country

United States

Who can watch

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