Clark, William Howard. The Bolivar Oral History Project. Through his paternal line, Clark is the great great grandson of blacksmith and freedman Thomas Cook Sr. and his wife, Lethia Perry. Cook’s blacksmith shop was the focus of an archeological excavation in 2021 (Bolivar Archeological Project). In this final of four interviews with the Bolivar Oral History Project, Clark relates his experiences training in blacksmithing and how this process helped him to better understand and appreciate his ancestor’s expertise, labor, and work ethic.  He reflects on the role that participating in the archaeological excavation of his ancestor’s blacksmith shop strengthened his appreciation of his family’s legacy. Clark talks about the important role that his paternal aunt, Betty Kimble, has played in the Southeast Denton community. He shares his thoughts on the relationship between racism and history, and how knowing and appreciating diverse histories can play a role in engendering racial tolerance.