This was an interview conducted on July 19, 1989 by David Overy. Dean H. Aarvig was born on October 15, 1920 in Wilmar, Minnesota. He graduated from high school in 1937 and was drafted into the Army in 1942. After completing basic training, Aarvig went to Officer Candidate School (OCS) and joined the 9th Armored Division in France as a platoon leader that conducted intelligence & reconnaissance missions. During his service, Aarvig participated in the Battle of the Bulge and the Battle of Remagen. After the wars end, Aarvig returned to Minnesota, where he and his wife ran a newspaper in Grand Meadow, as well as farmed. In November of 1950, Aarvig was recalled into the service and served with the 25th Infantry Division as a Company Commander in Korea. He talked about his thoughts on those in Vietnam burning their draft cards and going to Canada. Aarvig was married and had two children. He passed away on July 2, 1998.
Edie Abnet (1947-) is a painter who was married to the late Richard Abnet (1934-2011) , a potter and founding host of the St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. In this interview, Abnet discusses her husband's childhood in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and subsequent studies in ceramics at the University of Minnesota under Warren MacKenzie, and at the School for American Crafts in Rochester, New York, under Frans Wildenhain. Abnet also talks about the home and studio she and her husband shared in the St. Croix River Valley and his involvement in the St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. This interview was conducted by local oral historian and PhD Candidate from the University of Minnesota Anduin Wilhide. ""A Measure of the Earth: An Oral History of the Potters of the St. Croix River Valley"" explores the anomalous community of potters in Eastern Minnesota who host an annual cooperative tour for participating ceramic artists from around the world. This annual three-day event attracts art enthusiasts from across the country. Together the project's ten oral history interviews, representing diverse perspectives from within the local pottery community, tell the story of how, from the 1950s to today, Minnesota�s St. Croix River Valley has developed into a major center for pottery, and a destination for thousands nationally.
In an oral history given on February 13, 1975, Ruth M. Alexander relates her family history, her experiences as a teacher, and dealing with rationing during World War II.
In an oral history conducted by John Carter on October 7, 1991, Edward V. Anderson discussed his experiences both in training and combat as a B-24 pilot in the European Theater during World War II. Born and raised in Illinois, Anderson enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1942. In this interview, Anderson described his training experiences to become a B-24 pilot and flying several missions to bomb German oil storage tanks. Lastly, Anderson details what the final days of the war were like and briefly describes his life post-war, which included his wife, Lucy and their five children: David, Howard, Carol, Joyce and Timothy. Anderson was born on April 14, 1923, and passed away on March 13, 2011.
In an oral history, Arvid Anderson describes his family settling near Garrison, Minnesota, his work as a heavy equipment operator for the Minnesota Highway Department, and his experiences as one of the first pilots in Crow Wing County.
This was an interview conducted on February 11, 1990 by Richard Olsen. Donald E. Anderson was born on April 5, 1922 in Milaca, Minnesota. He joined the National Guard in 1939 at the age of 16. Anderson entered World War II assigned to the 34th Division Field Artillery and spent most of his service in North Africa and Italy. Anderson discussed his frustration with ninety-day wonders. Anderson also experienced taking German prisoners, as well as interacted with civilians in Italy. He was also present when the body of Mussolini was hanging from a building. After being discharged from service in 1945, Anderson opened a restaurant as well as worked as a postal worker. Anderson passed away on August 29, 1999 at the age of 77.
Fred Anderson was born in 1907 in Sweden. He came to the United States in 1926. He initially worked as a painter of homes and churches, specializing in stencil work and marbling technique. In 1948 he opened his own wallpaper and paint store in St. Louis Park.
In an oral history, Herb Anderson describes his family coming to Crow Wing County from Sweden experiences he had as a youngster, encounters his famly had with Indians, his parents starting a resort, and general information about the area in the early part of the 20th century.
Hilding Anderson was born in 1905 in Sundsvall, Sweden. Working as a farmer in Sweden, he came to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, in 1926 with the help of his mother's cousin. He worked for 40 years at Ohleen Dairy until he retired, serving for 27 years as a milkman along Lake Street.
Beginning in 1998, the City of Duluth (Minn.) Sister Cities Commission collaborated with the Iron Range Research Center to record a series of oral history interviews. Independent scholar Dr. JoAnn Hanson-Stone acted as the lead interviewer. The voluntary, self-selecting participants were second-generation Swedish Americans whose parents settled in northeast Minnesota in the early 1900s. The interviews were initiated to create supplementary material for a planned exhibit, "A Long Way Home: Swedish Immigrant Life in Duluth and Northeast Minnesota, 1890-1940."
In an oral history conducted by Daniel Lewis on May 18, 1991, Charles Arnold discussed his experience as a baker and typist in the United States Air Force during World War II. Raised in Preston, Minnesota, he was drafted into the Army in 1941, but enlisted in the Air Force and became a baker. In this interview, Arnold described day to day life living and working in the Matagorda Island Air Force Base in Texas. In 1945, Arnold was transferred to Fresno, California to attend typist school. In addition, he discussed his thoughts and feelings about his time in the Air Force and the several military bases he served on. In 1944, Arnold married his wife, Audrey, and had six children. Lastly, Arnold discussed life after the Air Force, becoming a farmer and raising his children. He died on December 9, 2009.
Jill Backes shares about being a middle school teacher with St. Charles Public Schools and organizing the sixth grade camp for more than 20 years. John Brogan assists with sixth grade camp. He participated in the very first sixth grade camp when he was in junior high school. The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
Peg Bauernfeind is an author who discovered the Whitewater Valley after living near the park for more than 30 years. She shares the history of the Whitewater Valley from her book titled, ""Return to Backyard Canyon."" The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
Blaine Baesler (1920-2015), a three-sport player in high school, including making All Conference as a football player, discusses growing up and playing football, basketball, and baseball in Lake City, Minnesota, and ice boating on Lake Pepin. He also discusses how his father, a harness maker, helped Ralph Samuelson, the inventor of waterskiing, experiment with making straps for water skis.
Delores "Dee" Bainbridge educator at Northland College and Bad River Tribal School, Bad River Ojibwe elder, is speaking Ojibwe, her first language, in an interview for a television documentary on the history and culture of Lake Superior Anishinaabe. She explains the complexities of Ojibwe with examples and recites the Lord's Prayer in Ojibwe.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth Kathryn A. Martin Library, University Archives
In this oral history interview, Ray Bang recounts his childhood, early job as a short order cook, and his time in military service as a mess sargeant where he worked as a cook and baker. Note: parts of this interview are not clearly audible.
Jim Bedeau, Leech Lake Ojibwe elder who lives in Onigum, is speaking Ojibwe, his first language, in an interview for a television documentary on the history and culture of Lake Superior Anishinaabe. He tells a story in Ojibwe about vision and how to live a life from a baby forward. He speaks about teaching the children.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth Kathryn A. Martin Library, University Archives
Makoons (Oliver Benjamin) and Zhaawanigiizhigookwe (Millie Benjamin), educator of Ojibwe Language and Culture grades 4 through 12 at Nay Ah Shing School on the Mille Lacs reservation, are speaking Ojibwe, their first language, in interviews for a television documentary on the history and culture of Lake Superior Anishinaabe. Mrs. Benjamin tells a story in Ojibwe about Wenaboozhoo; Nanabozho and why it is important for children to speak the language and to continue it. Mr. Benjamin speaks about his background and teaching the children.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth Kathryn A. Martin Library, University Archives
Makoons (Ole Nickaboine) Educator of Ojibwe Language and Culture grades 4 through 12 at Nay Ah Shing School on the Mille Lacs reservation, Mille Lacs Ojibwe elders speaking Ojibwe,his first language, in interviews for a television documentary on the history and culture of Lake Superior Anishinaabe. He speaks about teaching children and teaching them the Ojibwe language.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth Kathryn A. Martin Library, University Archives
Bawdwaywidun (Eddie Benton-Benai) was active in the American Indian Movement (AIM), is a member of the Midewiwin Lodge, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe elder, speaking Ojibwe, his first language, in an interview for a television documentary on the history and culture of Lake Superior Anishinaabe. He speaks about his birth, name, and family but also history and culture.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth Kathryn A. Martin Library, University Archives
Bawdwaywidun (Eddie Benton-Benai) was active in the American Indian Movement (AIM), is a member of the Midewiwin Lodge, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe elder, speaking Ojibwe, his first language, in an interview for a television documentary on the history and culture of Lake Superior Anishinaabe.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth Kathryn A. Martin Library, University Archives
Bawdwaywidun (Eddie Benton-Benai) was active in the American Indian Movement (AIM), is a member of the Midewiwin Lodge, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe elder, speaking Ojibwe, his first language, in an interview for a television documentary on the history and culture of Lake Superior Anishinaabe.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth Kathryn A. Martin Library, University Archives
Angie Berg shares about living near Whitewater State Park and spending time at the park with her two children. The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
In an oral history, Mrs. Ed (Jessie) Berg describes her family coming to Crow Wing County, her experiences as a teacher starting in 1903, her husband's work, and her thoughts on various historical events.
The promotional audio describes Bethel College and Seminary campuses, academic and extra-curricular opportunities, and encourages listeners to support Bethel financially.
Contributing Institution:
The History Center, Archives of Bethel University and Converge Worldwide - BGC
Vernon A. Bigalke was born in Little Falls, Minnesota, on February 18, 1917. Before the war, he served in the Minnesota National Guard and then was drafted into the Army in 1941. For the first years of the war, Bigalke was part of an anti-aircraft artillery unit that guarded American shores. He was reassigned to the 259th Infantry in Mississippi and sent to Le Harve, France in December 1944 as part of the 65th Infantry Division. While at the Seigfried Line he was captured by the Germans in January 1945 and held as a prisoner until the end of the war. He described his treatment by the Germans, his survival mechanisms, and his experiences as a POW until liberation, which included a brief stop at Dachau concentration camp. After the war, Mr. Bigalke became a farmer and raised a family. He died in Little Falls, Minnesota, on November 22, 2007.
Margaret "Sweet Pea" Big George, storyteller, accomplished jingle dress dancer, Big Island First Nations, Ojibwe elder is speaking Ojibwe, her first language, in an interview for a television documentary on the history and culture of Lake Superior Anishinaabe. Ms. Big George states: When we were let to, we always spoke the language.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth Kathryn A. Martin Library, University Archives
This was an interview conducted on January 19, 1992 by Karen Wenz. Stanley Biniek was born in Raczyce, Poland on November 3, 1912. Biniek and his family were separated in 1939 into concentration camps by the German Army. Biniek recalled witnessing prisoners being sent to killing chambers and the side effects of those on the camps water supply. Biniek spent over three years in Buchenwald before escaping with two other prisoners. After 72 days of travel, Biniek made it safely to Luxembourg, where he married his wife Victoria Adaszak in 1948. Biniek and his wife moved to Minnesota in 1952, and he worked for Woodcraft Industries and St. Regis Paper Mill. He had two daughters and one son. Biniek passed away on June 7, 2008 in Foley, Minnesota.
This was an interview conducted on April 7, 1990 by David Overy. Herbert Blad was born on January 12, 1920. He joined the Army on March 22, 1942 and served as a 60mm mortarman in the 32nd Infantry, 7th Division. Blad primarily spent World War II in the Pacific theater, where he participated in the Aleutians, Kwajalein, Leyte, and Okinawa campaigns. One of the most shocking things Blad witnessed was the treatment of native civilians by the Japanese military which included mass slaughter and use of civilians for bayonet practice. Blad described an incident when a kamikaze pilot struck the ship he was on, sending one man overboard. World War II concluded with Blad stationed on Okinawa, but he was sent to Pusan, Korea to police the area until the Japanese troops left. He was discharged on November 15, 1945. Blad concluded the interview with his thoughts on those draft-dodging Vietnam, and how he felt they did not appreciate America by their actions. Blad passed away on December 27, 1997.
Ernie Boszhardt is an archaeologist who shares about his journey becoming an archaeologist and stories about local human history he's learned through his work. The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
Gi Mi Wun (Raining Boyd), army veteran, truck driver retiring in 1978, singer and member of the drum society and Mille Lacs Ojibwe elder is speaking Ojibwe, his first language, in an interview for a television documentary on the history and culture of Lake Superior Anishinaabe. Mr. Boyd states: As an Indian being helped from the spirits, there is an the understanding of what is being talked about by the Indian.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth Kathryn A. Martin Library, University Archives
In an oral history, Mrs. Annie Bragstadt describes her family life in Norway, the journey from there to Minnesota in 1903, and her life as a young adult, before and after her marriage in 1914.
Robert (Bob) Briscoe (1947- ) grew up in Kansas City, Kansas and studied pottery with James Vandergriff in Zarah, Kansas, then with Lou Wynne in Colorado Springs, before moving to Minnesota where he established his pottery studio and co-founded the St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. In this interview, Briscoe discusses his childhood; ceramics education; his introduction to the pottery community in Minnesota; and his thoughts on the past, present and future of the St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. This interview was conducted by local oral historian and PhD Candidate from the University of Minnesota Anduin Wilhide. ""A Measure of the Earth: An Oral History of the Potters of the St. Croix River Valley"" explores the anomalous community of potters in Eastern Minnesota who host an annual cooperative tour for participating ceramic artists from around the world. This annual three-day event attracts art enthusiasts from across the country. Together the project's ten oral history interviews, representing diverse perspectives from within the local pottery community, tell the story of how, from the 1950s to today, Minnesota�s St. Croix River Valley has developed into a major center for pottery, and a destination for thousands nationally.
Jeff is a professional geologist and amateur historian who lives near the park. He shared memories the unique characteristics of the Driftless area and some of the hidden history of the region.
Hattie (Gross) Brown (1900-2003) discusses clamming on Lake Pepin and in Lake City, Minnesota during the 1920s and 1930s. She also discusses immigrating from Austria, her early life, the Depression, and her family's homes. She also discusses competition among clammers, types of clams, the cultured pearl industry, pearl button factories, and selling pearls.
In an oral history, Carl Byers describes his early work as a lumberjack, working for the WPA during the depression, his dealings with Indians, and returning to the logging industry.
Dr. Robert Campion (1923-2017) discusses dentistry in Lake City, Minnesota. He also discusses his business partnership with his father, Dr. Martin Campion (1895-1983), advances in dentistry materials and tools, his family's homes in Lake City, the World War I draft, Dr. Will Mayo, and anecdotes from the end of his father's life.
Roy Carlson (1886-1992) discusses excursion boats in Lake City, Minnesota. He and the audience also discuss storms, using the boats for commuting and dancing, and the fires at Gillett & Eaton. A man name Otto mentions immigrating from Germany.
In an oral history conducted by David Lewis on April 18, 1991, Richard L. Carroll discussed his experiences in training, combat and as a prisoner of war as a heavy bomber pilot in the European Theater during World War II. Born and raised in Rosemount, Minnesota, Carroll enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1942 and was called to active duty in 1943. In this interview, Carroll described his training to become a bomber pilot and his combat missions, including his fifteenth when he had to bail-out of his airplane only to be shot and captured by Hungarian civilians. Carroll described his experiences as a prisoner of war with a bullet lodged in the muscle of his heart, including his medical complications and multiple prisoner transfers. Lastly, Carroll describes his liberation and being used in prisoner negotiations between the Soviet Union and the United States as well as a brief mention of getting married, being placed on disability, and retiring from military service, all while the bullet remained lodged in his heart. Carroll was born on October 19, 1920, in Rosemount, Minnesota.
Beginning in 1998, the City of Duluth (Minn.) Sister Cities Commission collaborated with the Iron Range Research Center to record a series of oral history interviews. Independent scholar Dr. JoAnn Hanson-Stone acted as the lead interviewer. The voluntary, self-selecting participants were second-generation Swedish Americans whose parents settled in northeast Minnesota in the early 1900s. The interviews were initiated to create supplementary material for a planned exhibit, "A Long Way Home: Swedish Immigrant Life in Duluth and Northeast Minnesota, 1890-1940."
In an oral history, Ernie Cate discusses his early family life near Brainerd, his elementary schooling, being in the service during World War I, and working with Indians in his business.
