See individual memoirs for more detailed descriptions of subjects discussed:
BATES EXPERIMENTAL ROAD PROJECT
Interviews by Jane E. Knepler, 1975
- Memoirs: L948 Loving, M348 Marr, R825 Ruble, W585 White , W698 Wilson
The narrators discuss the construction of this experimental paved road, completed near New Berlin, Illinois in 1922. The narrators also discuss farm life in the early 20th century, the construction of U.S. Highway 36, the impact of paved roads on the area, and events from their lives near the Sangamon County towns of New Berlin and Loami.
BLACK COMMUNITY PROJECT
Interviews by Rev. Negil L. McPherson for the SSU Oral History Office, 1974-75
- Memoirs: AR76 Artis, B764 Bridgewater, B813 Brown, B881 Bunch, C225 Carpenter, C231 Carr, D333 Day, D919 Dungy, F381 Ferguson, H134 Hale, H185 Hammons, H240 Harris, H242 Harris, H324Hayden, H774 Hopkins, H861 Hubbard, L626 Liggins, L811 Lockhart, M315 Mann, M363 Martin, M141 McDaniel, P453 Pettiford, R720 Rose, W334 Watson
Members of the African-American community of Springfield, Illinois describe their childhood and family backgrounds, employment, schooling, church and community activities, racial segregation and discrimination, the 1908 race riot, the Depression, and social life in Springfield. This project was funded in part by a grant from the Illinois Bicentennial Commission.
CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Interviews by Sandra Britz Armbruster, 1981-82, 1984
- Memoirs: C132 Callarman, D335 Day, F341 Feltenstein, H528 Hickox, J156 Jacobs, K489 Kestner, L533 Leinicke, R298 Rentschler, SCH62.2 Schoening, SH94 Shutt, SP19 Spalding, ST45.2 Stericker
Members of this Springfield church recall activities, pastors, fellow members, conflicts between "low church" and "high church" factions, as well as their own experiences and interests.
COAL MINING AND UNION ACTIVITIES PROJECT
Interviews by Nick Cherniavsky, Barbara "Bobbe" Herndon, Rex Rhodes, 1972-73
- Memoirs: B322 Battuello, B461 Bertett, F213 Fancher, F915 Fries, G762 Gramlich, M319 Mantowich, N534 Nickey, OZ1 Ozanic, P787 Poole, P971 Purcell, SI64.1 Singer, SM18 Small, T591 Tombazzi, W462Wells
The narrators describe working conditions in Illinois coal mines in the early 20th century, the "mine wars" of the 1930's, hostilities between the United Mine Workers and the Progressive Miners of America, living conditions of striking miners and their families, impressions of John L. Lewis, and other issues related to coal mining in the state. This project was funded in part by the Illinois Bicentennial Commission.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Interviews by Henry Russel, 1980
- Memoirs: B287H Bartscht, B287R Bartscht, B785 Broeker, B814 Brown, B991 Byerly, C855 Craw, F873 Frederick, G172 Gardner, G890 Groan, H998H Hyndman, H998V Hyndman, L588 Lewis, M615Miller, M993 Myers, R832 Rude, R991 Rynearson, ST44H Stephens
Members of this Springfield church recall activites, pastors and fellow members, the fire of 1956, assistance received from Temple B'rith Sholom, and the rebuilding of the church.
GERMAN-AMERICANS PROJECT
Interviews by Leslie Leamons, 1972
- Memoirs: B327 Baumhardt, SCH53 Schmidt, SCH63 Schoenrock, ST11 Staab, W439 Weitzel
Members of the German-American community of Springfield and other parts of central Illinois recall their families' cultural background and heritage, and their responses to anti-German sentiment during the two World Wars.
HISTORIC SITES IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS
Interviews by Mary Louise Connelly McCarthy and Corrine Evans, 1971-72
- Memoirs: B228Banton, M131 McCarthy, M477 Meiners, SU55 Sullivan; see also H630 Historical Sites Project
The narrators, including employees of the Illinois State Historical Library, Illinois State Archives and the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, recall the preservation and restoration of historic sites in Springfield and central Illinois, including the Old State Capitol, the Governor's Mansion, the Lincoln Home, and Clayville.
HOME SCHOOLING PROJECT
Interviews by Linda Moore, 1990
- Memoirs: G314 Gergeni, H356 Heckman, H535 Higgins, H970 Hutchins, K829 Kok, K836 Komis, P428 Perry, W155 Wallace
The narrators discuss reasons for, challenges of, and rewards of educating their children at home. They also discuss legal implications, setting up academic goals and curricula, dealing with opposition, and creating support groups.
ILLINOIS COAL: THE LEGACY OF AN INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY
Interviews by Kevin Corley, Carl Oblinger, Brenda Griffin, 1985-86
- Memoirs: AH47 Ahlberg, AL56 Allison, B414 Bellaver, B631 Boch, B631F Boch, B644 Borgognoni, C840 Cox, C843J Craggs, D646 Dixon, D744 Dougherty, EN37 Engs, F631 Flesher, G427 Gilpin, G535Gobel, G894 Groh, K672 Klein, L147 Lake, L172 Lambert, L619 Lidster, M113 Mabie, M146 McDonald, M611 Miller, M831 Morris, M853 Mosey, OL3 Olive, P429 Perry, R437B Ridley, R437O Ridley,R731 Rosko, SE91 Sexson, T218 Taylor, V316 VanHooser, W132 Waigausky, W342 Wattelet, W754 Wise, W786 Wittka
This project was funded by the Illinois Humanities Council, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Oral History Office. Illinois coal miners and their wives describe family life, their work experiences in the mines, mechanization, the "mine wars" of the 1930's, the struggle between the Progressive Miners and the United Mine Workers, life in mining towns, bootlegging, various types of mining jobs, and ethnic and gender diversity in the mines.
ILLINOIS COMMUNITY COLLEGES
Interviews by G. Ernst Giesecke, 1976
- Memoirs: B818 Browne, L618 Lichty, SM57 Smith
The narrators, officials of the Illinois Board of Higher Education, Junior College Board, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and other state agencies, recall the establishment of Illinois' communiy college system, political implications, relations with exisiting colleges and universities, and the successes and failures of the system.
ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ORAL HISTORY PROGRAM
Interviews by Cullom Davis, Horace Q. Waggoner, Judy Haynes, 1979-85
- Memoirs: B897 Burditt, B916 Burhans, C280 Catania, C512 Clabaugh, D291 Davis, D324 Dawson, D922G Dunne, F911 Fribley, G374 Gilbert, G884 Grindle, K159 Katz, K384 Kennedy, L510 Lee, L832Lohmann, M132 McCarthy, M176 McGloon, OB6 O'Brien, P229 Parkhurst, P257 Partee, R160 Randolph, R219 Rayson, R248 Redmond, R318 Reum, R792 Rowe, SA37 Saltiel, SA66 Saperstein, SCA73Scariano, SM54 Smith, T499 Tipsword, V286 Van der Vries, W672 Williams, W787 Wittmond
Former members of the Illinois General Assembly discuss their family background, education, marriage and children, work history, and military service; they also recall their years in the legislature: campaigning, elections, party politics, lobbyists, Illinois regional politics, and significant issues and legislation. The narrators also discuss life after the General Assembly: running for other political office, private law practice, businesses endeavors, teaching, retirement, etc. This project was conducted in association with the Illinois Legislative Council and SSU's Legislative Studies Center.
ILLINOIS STATECRAFT
Interviews by Marilyn Huff Immel, Cullom Davis, Nancy Huntley, Ida Klassen, 1978-85
- Memoirs: B465 Bettag, B532 Bird, B728 Bradley, D334 Day, D364 DeGrazia, D758 Downey, G821 Green, H836 Howard, IC2 Ice, IM6 Immel, K180N* Kay, K666 Klassen, K831 Kolbe, L976 Lutes, M127McCarter, M351 Marsh, M582 Michaelson, OB4 Oblinger, P673 Piciotte, P912 Pree, SCO85 Scott, SE48 Selcke, T128 Tagge, W151 Walker
The narrators, including directors and employees of Illinois departments and agencies, members of the governors' staff and Illinois Governor Dan Walker, discuss thir involvement in Illinois state government and politics, as well as their own family and educational background. This project was funded in part by grants from the Illinois Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
INSTITUTE OF INTER-AMERICAN AFFAIRS COLLECTION
Interviews by James D. Williams, Elvera Williams, and Margarida Reno, 1984-90
- Memoirs: B413B Bell, B413W Bell, B467 Betzig, C362 Chanlett, C362E Chanlett, G561E Goin, G561L Goin, L828 Logan, L855D Longan, L855J Longan, L951 Lowenstein, L952 Lowenthal, M145McDonald, P321 Pease, P653C Pineo, P653E Pineo, P689 Plaut, R724L Rosenfeld, R724M Rosenfeld, T235 Teixeira, W671 Williams, W673 Williams
From the preface to the memoirs in this series: "The focus of the collection is twofold: first, to record the 'feel' of the experience of participating in the Foreign Aid Program in Latin America, and second, to record the actual experiences and observations of partici-pants, the latter with an emphasis on those items that might be important for policymakers and historians. This emphasis attempts to identify important elements in societal and institutional development; elements that are important in social change without violence." The narrators discuss their experiences living and working on foreign aid programs in Brazil, Mexico, and other countries in Latin America and Africa from the 1940's to the 1960's. The Oral History Research Office at Columbia University donated the titles of this series.
ITALIAN-AMERICANS PROJECT
Interviews by John Bucari, 1972
- Memoirs: B850J Bucari, C179 Cardose, F861 Frasco, M281 Maietta, M525.1 Menghini, M526 Menichetti, P173A Palazzolo, P173P Palazzolo, V636 Vespa
Members of the Italian-American community of Springfield and other towns in central Illinois discuss their families' emigration from Italy and Sicily, working in area coal mines, prohibition and bootlegging, social and family life, and the Catholic Church.
JEWISH EXPERIENCE PROJECT
Interviews by Syma Mendelsohn, 1973
- Memoirs: C661D Cohn, C661N Cohn, M475Meiers, M992JE.1 Myers, M992M.1 Myers, SCH95 Schwartz
Members of Springfield's Jewish community recall life and family in Springfield, Temple B'rith Sholom, anti-semitism and relationships with the community at large.
LINCOLN MEMORIAL GARDENS PROJECT
Interviews by Sara Wells, 1985
- Memoirs: AA76 Aarup, G235 Gaule, G793 Gray, H182 Hammel, K781 Knudson
The narrators discuss the design and establishment of this park on Lake Springfield from the 1930's onwards.
See also K780 Harriet Knudson ; L638 Abraham Lincoln Memorial Gardens ;
MENTAL HEALTH CARE PROJECT
Interviews by Rodger Streitmatter, 1972
- Memoirs: B263 Barnes, B964 Bushnell, C380 Charles, C675 Cole, D383 DeLong, G898 Gronseth, L335 Lasley, M128 McCarthy, R877 Rupel, W936 Wright
Employees of the Illinois State Hospital in Jacksonville discuss the management and operation of the hospital, as well as changes in the treatment the mentally ill over the years.
MOWEAQUA COAL MINE
Interviews by Debbie Springer Horne, 1994
- Memoirs: C151 Campbell, C781 Coombe, C810 Corby, H521 Hibbard, L535 Leitch, N859 Novota, SM79 Smorado, T518 Tirpak
Coal miners and members of their families recall life and work in this Shelby County, Illinois community; special mention is made of the Christmas Eve Disaster of 1932. These memoirs were donated by the Moweaqua Coal Mine Museum.
MYERS BROTHERS DEPARTMENT STORE PROJECT
Interviews by John Vrooman, 1972-73
- Memoirs: M992 Myers, M992A Myers, M992J.2 Myers, M992L Myers, M992M.2 Myers, W644 Wilday
Members of the Myers family and one of their employees recall the establishment and operation of this downtown Springfield store from 1885 onwards.
ONE ROOM SCHOOL PROJECT
Interviews by Jane Stout, 1972
- Memoirs: B270 Barr, D273 Davenport, K299 Keltner, R159 Randles, ST35 Steinhour, UC4 Uchaez
The narrators, former students and teachers in rural one room schools in central Illinois in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, recall the structure and furnishing of the schools, classes taught, special events and activities, and other memories of farm life from the late 1800's onwards.
PRISONER OF WAR EXPERIENCES IN WORLD WAR II
Interviews by Glenn Kniss, 1985-89
- Memoirs: B811 Brown, B836 Brunner, C449 Chittenden, C481 Ciarrachi, C776 Cooley, C838 Cowden, C867 Creviston, F575 Fitzgerald, H125 Haigwood, H192 Handley, K749 Kniss, OK2 O'Keefe, P278LPatton, R273 Reilly, SH91 Shuey
Former American prisoners of war in WWII relate the stories of their enlistment, training, combat experiences, capture, internment in German and Japanese prison camps, their treatment and experiences in the camps, "death marches," liberation, and the impact of these experiences on their later lives.
RADIO PROJECT
Interviews by William Ortman, 1973
- Memoirs: F249 Farrington, H213 Harbison, K180 Kay, M612 Miller, P384 Pennington, SE42 Seigel, SI64.2 Singer
On-air personalities, performers, journalists, station managers and other staff discuss their work at radio stations in Springfield and elsewhere from the 1920's onwards.
See also: R118 Radio Project
SANGAMON ORDNANCE PLANT PROJECT
Interviews by B. David McCarthy, 1989-90
- Memoirs: F212 Fanale, G656 Gordon, G919R Groves, H683D Hohenstein, H683P Hohenstein, L512 Lee, L875 Loose, L994 Lyon, P939 Pritchett, R629 Roese, SH43 Sheller, W442 Welch
Employees of this WWII-era munitions factory near Illiopolis describe the acquisition of land for the plant, its construction, operation, working conditions, women and minority employees, duties, housing problems, life on the WWII homefront, impact on Illiopolis and the area, and the plant's closing.
SANGAMON RIVER PROJECT
Interviews by Judith Haynes, 1980-81
- Memoirs: B778.2 Britz, B834 Brumfield, C844.1 Craig, G313A Gerdes, G313W Gerdes
The narrators recall life along this central Illinois river: fishing, boating, hunting, farming, floods, river hazards, wildlife, and changes in the river over the years.
SHAWNEETOWN BANK PROJECT
Interviews by Cullom Davis and Horace Q. Waggoner, 1978-79
- Memoirs: B439 Bennett, C127 Caldwell, C354 Chamberlain, C653 Coffee, D922C Dunn, D989 Dyhrkopp, ES93 Eswine, G139 Galt, H228 Harmon, H284 Hatfield, H326 Hayes, H729 Holloway, H862 Hubele,H892 Hundley, L423E Lawler, L423L Lawler, L829C Logsdon, OL1 Oldham, SCH94 Schwander, SH55 Sherman, SP32 Speer, T213 Taylor, T279 Terry, W934 Wright; see also SH26 Shawneetown Bank Project
These interviews were conducted by the SSU Oral History Office under contract with the Illinois Department of Conservation. The project documents the history of the State Bank of Illinois at Shawneetown from 1837 to 1926 through oral history interviews and the identification of known photographs, artifacts and documents. The narrators recall the structure of the bank, its furnishings, apartments, surroundings, the impact of the 1937 Ohio River flood, and the community of Shawneetown.
SPRINGFIELD INTERNATIONAL VISITORS COMMISSION
Interviews by Byron Booth, 1990
- Memoirs: B850D Bucari, F829 Fowler, L644 Lindley, P278A Patton, W861 Woods
Narrators describe efforts made to welcome and accommodate foreign visitors to Springfield's Lincoln sites.
SPRINGFIELD MARINE BANK PROJECT
Interviews by John Bucari, 1973
- Memoirs: B466 Bettinghaus, B756 Bretz, B884G.2 Bunn, B884W Bunn, D299 Davison, EB38 Ebers, G995 Gwin, OL4 Olive, R452 Riley, SA56 Saner, SCH12 Schaefer, SO68 Sorling, W977 Wylder
Employess and officers of this historic Springfield bank recall the history of the bank, details of its operation, the effect of the Great Depression, changes in the city's downtown area, the development of the banking industry, and the impact of automation.
SPRINGFIELD RACE RIOT, 1908
Interviews by Cullom Davis et al., 1971-72
- Memoirs: B777 Brittin, C917 Cunningham
Narrators recall this bloody incident in Springfield history; see also BLACK COMMUNITY PROJECT and entries in the Index under Springfield IL--Race Riot, 1908.
SPRINGFIELD ROTARY CLUB PROJECT
Interviews by Melissa Hopp, Ron Krause, Mike Schramm, P.J. Waggaman, 1988
- Memoirs: AD18 Adams, B229Baptist, B233 Barber, B562 Blackburn, B736 Brasher, B792 Brosch, G761 Graham, H143 Hall, H317 Haworth, L329 LaRue, M760 Montague, M766 Montgomery, OB7 O'Brien,P317.2 Pearson, P349 Pehlman, ST46 Stern,ST93 Stuart, UT2 Uteg
Members of this club recall its activities and achivements, and its influence on their lives.
STEAMBOATS AND INLAND RIVERS
Interviews by John Knoepfle, 1956-63
- Memoirs: AN24 Anderson, AU54 Ault, B380 Beatty, B381 Beatty, B640 Bone, B736 Brasher, C152 Campbell, C224 Carpenter, C355J Chamberlain, C782 Coomer, C883 Crosley, D295 Davis, D323 Dawson,ED44 Edgington, H245 Harrison, H331 Hayhurst, H789 Horton, H875 Hughes, K281 Keller, K287 Kelley, L988 Lyle, M123 McCann, M354 Marshall, M527 Menke, OH2 O'Hearn, P942 Proctor, R624 Roehrig,SA57 Sanford, SA92 Savage, SCH38 Schletker, SM65 Smith, SO89 Souther, ST31.1 Steamer, ST31.2 Steamer, ST98 Stutzman, T212 Taylor, T914 Twedell, W125 Wagner, W586 White, W755 Wise, W757Wisherd, Z45 Zenn, Z83 Zugelter
These interviews were conducted by poet John Knoepfle around Cincinnati, Ohio and elsewhere in the late 1950's and early 1960's. The narrators discuss life and work on the Ohio, Mississippi, Illinois and other Midwest rivers from the late 1800's to the 1950's: steamboats, packetboats, showboats, ferries, wrecks, explosions and fires, river lore, jazz music, saloons and prohibition, freight, locks and dams, river towns, navigation lights and conditions, floods, fog and ice jams, barge and boat construction, government regulation and licensing, duties of steamboat crew members, wages, salaries and living conditions, wildlife, hunting and fishing, minority groups, the Amazon River and the Spanish-American War. Knoepfle, professor of English at Sangamon State University, donated the collection to the Oral History Office and University Archives in 1986. Material related to this project may also be found at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio.
ADLAI E. STEVENSON PROJECT
Interviews by Kenneth Davis, John Luter, Walter Johnson, 1967-71
- Memoirs: AR89Arvey, B575 Blair, EV15 Evans, G756.1 Graebel, SCH13 Schaefer, ST48 Stevenson, W788 Witwer
The narrators, political associates of Adlai E. Stevenson II (1990-1965), members of his staff, his son, and others, recall Stevenson's character, achievements, term as Illinois Governor (1949-1953), presidential campaigns (1952 and 1956), his work at the United Nations, later life and death. This series was donated by the Oral History Research Office of Columbia University.
ADLAI E. STEVENSON II
Interviews by Stephen Bean, 1975
- Memoirs: F775 Forsyth, M393.1 Masters, M925 Munn
Friends of Stevenson and his personal secretary recall his term as Illinois Governor, presidential campaigns, work as ambassador to the United Nations, and personal life.
TELEPHONE PROJECT
Interviews by Thomas E. Easley, Gerald Veach, 1973
- Memoirs: B440 Bennett, EA76 Easley, EV27 Evers, F576 Fitzgerald, P419 Perkins, P884 Prahm, R541 Roberts, W892 Workman
Illinois Bell Telephone Company employees, including linemen, operators, managers and others, recall their work in the telephone industry in the early 20th centruy on: changes in technology, tasks, the social and economic impact of telephones, Illinois cities and rural communities, and their own lives.
VIETNAM
Interviews by Charles Hill, 1981-82
- Memoirs: D298* Davis, D650* Do, D738* Dorosheff, D988* Dyer , IP5* Ippolito , P213* Parbs, SH49* Shepherd
American servicemen and a Vietnamese immigrant recall the draft, enlistment, combat experiences, opposition to the war, and its effect on them and on American society. See also entries in the Index under Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975.
WORLD WAR II CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS PROJECT
Interviews by C. Arthur Bradley, 1988
- Memoirs: B434A Benedict, B434D Benedict, B912 Burgess,D161 Dallas, D381D Dellinger, D381E Dellinger, H262 Harvey, H817G Houser, H817H Houser, H883 Hummon, J122 Jack, J139 Jackson, L943Lovell, R129 Rahn, SP71H Spragg, SP71J Spragg, W1 Mr. W
The narrators, including eight students of Union Theological Seminary in New York City who were jailed in 1940 for refusing to register for the draft, discuss their opposition to war and the draft; their family backgrounds, education, and involvement in socialism, pacifism, civil rights, and the labor movement; and their activities in Congregational and other churches. The women narrators discuss their husbands' protests and ministries, their own involvement in pacifist and other political movements, the women's movement, and their own intellectual development.
Oral History Projects Consisting of a Single Memoir
The items are compilations of several narrators' contributions in one memoir. See abstracts for the following in the main section of the Guide:
- EA77 East Park Baptist Academy Memoir
- F761.1-2 Foreign Born Physicians of Springfield
- H630 Historical Sites Project
- IL62 Illinois Constitutional Convention Memoir
- IL64 Illinois Higher Education Finance
- IL67 Illinois School for the Deaf
- K383 John F. Kennedy Assassination
- L638 Abraham Lincoln Memorial Garden
- L645 Vachel Lindsay Project
- M570. Miami Land Claims in Illinois
- OR1 Oral History Office Project
- P846 Poston Brick Company
- R118 Radio Project Memoir
- R245 Recollections on Old Springfield
- SA15 Sacred Heart Academy, Class of 1927
- SA58 Sangamon State University Project
- SH26 Shawneetown Bank Project: Memories of a Bank
- T413 353rd Fighter Group's 1983 Reunion
- W840. Women's Rights Project
- W893 World War II Project