DORA FOUT was born October 5, 1906, and lived in Jackson all her life. Her father, Jacob Pierce, bought the Eisteddfod building in 1955 and used the space for warehouse storage. The building was still in the family when it burned to the ground in February 1973. Fout says that “only the best singers and musicians” were invited to compete in the Eisteddfod. Listen below as she describes a Welsh neighbor.
JAMES FARRAR was born on June 11, 1911 and grew up in Franklin Township, Jackson County. He worked for many years at Globe Iron Company as a boiler operator and an engineer. He remembers the Eisteddfod Auditorium which burned to the ground on February 2, 1973.
Listen to his description of the Eisteddfod Auditorium.
ROBERT F. WILLIAMS was born August 17, 1925 in Jackson, Ohio. He remembers when buses would line the streets of downtown Jackson to bring competitors in for the Eisteddfod. “It wasn’t only for the Welsh, it was for everybody who loved to hear the music.” he said.
Listen as he remembers R.R. Thomas, founder of the school Eisteddfod.
“DENE” PELLEGRINON was born October 13, 1921 and grew up in New Boston, Ohio. As a sixth grader she traveled with her music teacher to Jackson to compete in the Eisteddfod. She stayed at the Cambrian hotel and remembers the Eisteddfod building as “giant and cavernous.” She also remembers the hectic activities of the preliminaries held at the high school before the actual event.
Listen as she describes her first Eisteddfod.