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1. Interview with Heladio "Lalo" Zavala

Creator:
Zavala, Heladio; United States
Date Created:
10/18/2010
Description:
Heladio "Lalo" Zavala was born in Asherton, Texas. Zavala decided to move to Minnesota to attend Moorhead State College and studied social work and Spanish. He became involved with the Latino community by becoming the chairman of Migrant Health Services, executive director of the Minnesota Migrant Council, and CEO of Midwest Association of Farmworker Organizations. Zavala is married with three children. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Family background - Latino culture in Texas - agriculture in
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

2. Interview with Randolph Peterson, Minnesota Court of Appeals Oral History Project, St. Paul, Minnesota

Creator:
Peterson, Randolph William, 1953-
Date Created:
11/1/2017
Description:
Interview with former Minnesota Court of Appeals Judge Randolph Peterson on his life and his legal and judicial career. He was appointed to the Minnesota Court of Appeals in 1990 and retired in 2018. The interview covers his family background and education, law school, being in the state Senate, the creation of the Court of Appeals, and his experiences being on the Court of Appeals.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota State Law Library
Type:
Moving Image
Format:
Oral histories

3. Interview with John G. Morrison, Jr., Part 2, Beltrami County Historical Society Oral History Collection, Bemidji, Minnesota

Creator:
Morrison, Jr., John G.
Date Created:
1950 - 1959
Description:
Morrison discusses his arrival at the Ponemah school; orders from the agency to break up Native American customs; a smallpox epidemic at Ponemah; and a doctor teaching him to pull teeth, establishing a post office at Ponemah; a storm that left a windfall of trees in the early 1900s; memories of Billy Burce; the dock at Ponemah; vaccinating people against smallpox; the lack of law and order; steamboats and other boats on Red Lake; A. E. Andrews' attempts to settle Upper Red Lake; Morrison's opinion of how the government handles its interactions with Native Americans; gardening habits of the Red Lake Ojibwe; the decline of basket weaving and beadwork on the Red Lake Reservation; local produce theft; his opinion on compelling families to garden; his opinion on the work ethic of Native Americans; and his opinion on the quality of education provided to Native American children; his opinions about reducing economic support for Native Americans; resources available to Native Americans on the reservations; the fishing industry on the Red Lake Reservation; early staff members at the Ponemah school; his store, Chippewa Trading, at Red Lake; early law enforcement on the reservation; his time as a traveling salesman; his time at Nett Lake; his time at Onigum, including WPA work; whether Native Americans can get jobs; Native American population in the Twin Cities, and the regulations and challenges for traders on reservations. This record contains parts of multiple interviews. Please refer to the transcripts for help understanding these.
Contributing Institution:
Beltrami County Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

4. Interview with Maurice and Anna Lee Wolff

Creator:
Wolff, Maurice
Date Created:
1969-06-14
Description:
Anna Lee (Mrs. Maurice) Wolff was born in Minneapolis in 1886. She graduated from Wellesley College in 1908 and married Maurice Wolff in 1909. In 1914 she was the first president of the Women's Auxiliary of the Temple of Aaron. In 1918 she was a founder of the local organization of the National Council of Jewish Women, and for two terms she was president of the Minneapolis World Affairs Council. At the time of the interview she had been a member of a local writers' group for twenty-five years. Maurice Wolff was born in Minneapolis in 1884. His parents were very active in Temple Shore Tov (later Temple Israel). He graduated from high school in 1902 and went to work for the Rothchild advertising agency about five days later. He worked there until 1919, when he went to work in his wife's family's business. Later he was business editor of Lancet Publications, which included the medical journal Lancet. Wolff was president of the Jewish welfare board during World War I and was active in Masonry and skating. He was also a member of the board for Family and Children's Services of Hennepin County and lectured in advertising at the University of Minnesota, College of St. Thomas, and local business colleges. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Anna Lee Wolff--her early life in Minneapolis - activities in public and religious affairs - general absence of anti-Semitism - and her pacifist beliefs. Maurice Wolff--his career in advertising - interests in skating and social clubs - community service - and an absence of anti-Semitism. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: MHS received the interview material in 1972 from Mrs. Nathan Berman of the Minneapolis Federation for Jewish Service. The interview consists of two parts: part one is an interview with Anna Lee Wolff, and part two is an interview with Maurice Wolff.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

5. Interview with Harvey Waugh (1902-1978), St. Cloud State University Oral History, St. Cloud, Minnesota

Creator:
St. Cloud State University
Date Created:
1974 - 1976
Description:
In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University librarians Norman Clarke and Lawrence Busse on February 14, 1974, February 25, 1975, November 26, 1975, and February 18, 1976, Harvey Waugh discussed his family background and a wide range of topics related to St. Cloud State. Born in Clarksville, Iowa, in 1902, Waugh worked at the Iowa State Teacher's College before offered a position at St. Cloud State by President George Selke. Waugh described how different things were when he first came to St. Cloud State, and how there was a great lack of organization, of departments, and of staff, along with very poor buildings. Other faculty members are also discussed including presidents George Selke, Dudley Brainard, and George Budd, music faculty Helen Grime, Roger Barrett, and Helen Hulls, also Amy Dale of English, who wrote the lyrics of the school hymn which Waugh set to music. Waugh talked about the various buildings that were part of campus in his early years here. He discussed Eastman Hall, as well as the wonderful Christmas parties that were held in Shoemaker Hall, by invitation. Other aspects of campus living are touched upon, including Mrs. Alice Whitney's presence, being head of a men's dorm, and Quonset huts. He mentioned Selke's great oratorical ability, especially in convincing young people from the Iron Range to come to St. Cloud State. Waugh discussed St. Cloud State president George Budd and his reputation at the university. Waugh described the various programs and plays he helped produce during his time at St. Cloud State, from ""South Pacific"" to ""West Side Story."" He mentioned taking one of his productions, ""The Pajama Game,"" on a European tour in the 1960s. Waugh proudly said that the plays always had a full orchestra and that his choir was called upon to give performances at various conferences and prestigious events. The status of buildings around as well as the construction of new ones, are a frequent topic in the interviews. The plans and building of the current Performing Arts Center as well as his tri-collegiate choral group are mentioned in detail. Information relating to Stewart Hall's construction, the Kiehle library, the Old Main Building and having to share space with other departments is also referenced.
Contributing Institution:
St. Cloud State University
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

6. Interview with Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Dropping, Crow Wing County Historical Society Oral History Collection, Jenkins, Minnesota

Creator:
Dropping, Edwin; Dropping, Mrs. Edwin
Date Created:
1975
Description:
In an oral history, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Dropping talks about various topics including his family moving to the Jenkins area in 1901, his life growing up on a farm, her career as a teacher, and life during the Depression years.
Contributing Institution:
Crow Wing County Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

7. Interview with Oscar Gravdahl, Crow Wing County Historical Society Oral History Collection, Pequot Lakes, Minnesota

Creator:
Gravdahl, Oscar
Date Created:
1975
Description:
In an oral history, Oscar Gravdahl talks about growing up on a farm near Pequot lakes in the ealy 1900s, his schooling, his work in a logging camp and with the railroad, what Pequot Lakes was like and conditions that existed during the Depression, and his service with the fire department.
Contributing Institution:
Crow Wing County Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

8. Interview with Vernon Davis, Crow Wing County Historical Society Oral History Collection, Swanburg, Minnesota

Creator:
Davis, Vernon
Date Created:
1975
Description:
In an oral history, Vernon Davis, a local historian, discusses various topics such as people he has known, artifacts he'd found at the site of an old Northwest Trade Post, and logging camps.
Contributing Institution:
Crow Wing County Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

9. Interview with Emery Dibbel, Crow Wing County Historical Society Oral History Collection, Pine River, Minnesota

Creator:
Dibbel, Emery
Date Created:
1975-04-07
Description:
In an oral history, Emery Dibble discusses several topics including moving to Crow Wing County via a covered wagon pulled by a team of oxen, a fire destroying all of his family's possessions, his mother having to work to support the family, his life growing up, and jobs he's had over the years.
Contributing Institution:
Crow Wing County Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

10. Interview with Frank Rodriguez

Creator:
Rodriguez, Frank
Date Created:
1975-06-27
Description:
Frank Rodriguez was born March 28, 1920, in Sheridan, Wyoming, moved to St. Paul at age two, and was educated in the St. Paul schools. Subjects discussed include: Family life on the lower West Side of St. Paul while he was growing up during the Depression - his interest in athletics - his activities with the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party - his work with the Hod Carriers' Building and Common Laborers' Union, Local 132 - his involvement in Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and various civic organizations - and the importance of his Mexican heritage.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

11. Interview with Lalo Sanchez

Creator:
Sanchez, Lalo
Date Created:
1975-07-23
Description:
Lalo Sanchez was born in Dallas, Texas, and moved to Minnesota after serving as a military policeman during World War II. He organized his first soccer team in Minnesota in 1947, and as coach of the Azteca Soccer Club, which he organized in 1969 with youth players from the West Side community, he has received many awards for himself and the team. Azteca won state championships in 1973, 1974 and 1975. Subjects discussed include: Soccer, including the following topics: league structure in Minnesota - awards received by Azteca - type of training required - reasons why Humboldt High School should have a soccer team - and discrimination and exclusion by the Minnesota Soccer Association.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

12. Interview with Ida Levitan Sanders

Creator:
Sanders, Ida Levitan
Date Created:
1976-02-16
Description:
Ida Levitan Sanders was born in Russia in 1900 and arrived in Minneapolis in 1905. She married Max Sanders - they had two children, David and Mrs. Deera Tychman. She is an active member of Talmud Torah Auxiliary and Alumni and is a founder of Young People's Synagogue and Beth El Synagogue. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Early childhood experiences - secular and religious education - the founding and early history of Minneapolis Talmud Torah - anti-Semitism - the Depression - her home and neighborhood - and child-rearing experiences.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

13. Interview with Angelo Cohn

Creator:
Cohn, Angelo
Date Created:
1976-05-05
Description:
Angelo Cohn was born in Bucharest, Romania, in 1914, and in 1920 he immigrated with his parents and two brothers to the United States, where they joined an extended family of cousins in Minneapolis. Both his parents were professionally trained, his mother as a language teacher and his father as a lawyer. Angelo Cohn graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1936 with a degree in journalism and worked as a reporter on the Minneapolis Star. He married in 1948 and has three children. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Immigration of his extended family - early life in the Minneapolis immigrant community, including geographical locations of community institutions and synagogues - education and recreation - the Depression - religious institutions - bootlegging - anti-Semitism - and the Teamsters strike in 1934.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

14. Interview with Alice McLain (1913 - 2004) and Mabel McCourt (1907 - 1993), Lake of the Woods County oral history project, Baudette, Minnesota

Creator:
McLain, Alice (1913 - 2004); McCourt, Mabel (1907 - 1993)
Date Created:
1977-03-11
Description:
Oral history of Mabel McCourt and Alice McLain, interviewed by Tom Imes. Alice and Mabel, sisters who grew up in and near Williams, Minnesota in the early 20th century, homesteading with their family, diseases and medicine, and life particularly in the 1920s and 1930s.
Contributing Institution:
Lake of the Woods County Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

15. Interview with John O'Neil (1902 - 1983), Lake of the Woods County oral history project, Baudette, Minnesota

Creator:
O'Neil, John (1902 - 1983)
Date Created:
1977-05-19
Description:
Oral history of John O'Neil interviewed by Tom Imes. John talks about living in Spooner and Baudette, Minnesota in the first half of the 20th century. His interview focuses on the 1910 and 1931 fires and various jobs John held.
Contributing Institution:
Lake of the Woods County Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

16. Interview with Anna Olson and Ruth Aery, Lake of the Woods County oral history project, Baudette, Minnesota

Creator:
Olson, Anna and Aery, Ruth
Date Created:
1977-06-10
Description:
Oral history of Ruth Aery and Anna Olson, sisters, interviewed by Tom Imes. The women talk about growing up in Carp, Minnesota, their father homesteading, and living and working in Spooner, Minnesota.
Contributing Institution:
Lake of the Woods County Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

17. Interview with Elnora "Nora" McGuire (1894 - 1993), Lake of the Woods County oral history project, Baudette, Minnesota

Creator:
McGuire, Elnora (1894 - 1993)
Date Created:
1977-08-17
Description:
Oral history of Elnora "Nora" McGuire, interviewed by Tom Imes. Nora's interview focuses on growing up and living at Long Point and Zippel Bay and commercial fishing.
Contributing Institution:
Lake of the Woods County Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

18. Interview with Ruth Dahlquist, St. Cloud State University Oral History, St. Cloud, Minnesota

Creator:
St. Cloud State University
Date Created:
1978-11-21
Description:
In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Professor of History Calvin (Cal) Gower on November 21, 1978, Ruth Dahlquist described her family history and what inspired her to become a teacher. She was born on January 18, 1898, in Stewart, Minnesota, about an 65 miles southwest of Minneapolis. Her maiden name was Senescall, and her ancestry was Swedish, German, and English. Dahlquist said that she had always wanted to be a teacher, and since so many girls from Stewart, Minnesota attended St. Cloud Normal School for that purpose, it seemed like the natural thing to do. Dahlquist chronicled her time at St. Cloud State. She detailed what life was like in the dormitories. She claimed the teachers were very strict. She discussed the two different St. Cloud State presidents she encountered, Isabel Lawrence and Joseph Brown. Brown, Dahlquist stated, was freer with the students and brought more modern ideas to the school. Dahlquist described several other teachers and their personalities, interests, and teaching styles. She explained what she and her friends would do during their time off, and also discusses the literary societies they were involved in, which, though not sororities, had many similarities to them. Dahlquist graduated in 1917. Dahlquist discussed her experiences after leaving St. Cloud State, including teaching stints in Buffalo Lake and Hutchinson, Minnesota, as well as in the state of Wyoming. She settled in LaPorte, Indiana, where she taught for 19 years. Dahlquist married her husband in 1946; he passed away in 1955. She addressed such issues as World War I, which the U.S. became involved in during her time at the St. Cloud State. Dahlquist claimed that many students were shocked, and that the war was a controversial topic. She reflected on her experiences at St. Cloud State as a whole, and thanked the institution for being so severe and strict with her, as it provided her with a strong foundation that helped guide her for the entirety of her teaching career.
Contributing Institution:
St. Cloud State University
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

19. Interview with Ben Brochin

Creator:
Brochin, Ben
Date Created:
1979-07-01
Description:
Ben Brochin was born in Minneapolis on Sept. 2, 1909, to Solomon Brochin (1878-1958) and Anna Levinson Brochin (1883-1947), who came to Minneapolis from Lithuania in 1906. Solomon Brochin ran a grocery store (later a delicatessen) in North Minneapolis. Ben Brochin began work in his father's store as a child and later took over the business. Brochin's Delicatessen had four locations and finally closed in 1967. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: The North Minneapolis Jewish neighborhood - Brochin's store, with a vivid description of its contents - his father, an ardent Zionist, grocer, and agent for a steamship company that brought immigrants to the United States - boyhood work in the store, including selling newspapers - amateur boxing as a source of income for young men - celebrating the end of World War I at the Glass Block in Minneapolis - his father's practice of staking new immigrants to food on credit at his store - the Talmud Torah picnic at Longfellow Gardens and Zoo - and the Emanuel Cohen Center. COMMENTS ON INTERVIEW: The MHS photo collection includes a photo of Solomon Brochin in his store.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

20. Interview with Everett Johnson, Douglas County, Minnesota

Creator:
Johnson, Everett
Date Created:
1980-07-16
Description:
Interview with Everett Johnson. Topics discussed include: Olle Floding, maternal Grandfather from Dalarna, Sweden, 1867. Stories of School District 77 are also told. Johnson worked for Schuman & Company and built the Nelson School. He also talks about potato farming on Jundt Farm near Carlos Corners.
Contributing Institution:
Douglas County Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

21. Interview with Jose Cung

Creator:
Cung, Jose
Date Created:
1980-11-14 - 1981-02-13
Description:
Jose Cung was born August 24, 1940, in Saigon, South Vietnam. Her father was a businessman from North Vietnam. She grew up in Saigon and in 1958 enrolled at the University of Saigon. After one year she transferred to the University of Sydney in Australia, where she received a bachelor's degree in political science in 1963. In 1964 she married Tien Cung, a popular singer and composer as well as an agricultural economist trained in England. Their son Raphael was born in 1967. Before the fall of the South Vietnamese government, JosTe Cung was employed first by the Ministry of Social Affairs and later the Commission for Tourism. She also served as local coordinator for a research project of the Rand Corporation under contract by the United States Department of Defense. With the collapse of the government in April of 1975, the family fled Saigon on one of many barges used to take evacuees out to sea. The family was picked up by ships of the United States Seventh Fleet and taken to Subic Bay in the Philippines, and later to Guam. They spent about four weeks in a refugee camp at Fort Chafee, Arkansas, before they were released to a sponsor in Washington, D.C. Shortly after that, Tien Cung was offered employment by a foreign aid agency of the U.S. Department of State, and the family spent a year in Canberra, Australia. When the job was finished, the Cungs returned to the United States and settled temporarily in Dallas, Texas, where Tien's parents and sister, also refugees from Vietnam, had relocated. In 1977 the family moved to Minnesota, where Tien was offered a job with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. After arrival JosTe obtained employment in the city of St. Paul's Division of Manpower Services from 1977 to 1978 and again from 1980 to 1981. From 1978 to 1980 she also worked for the United Way. Cung was an early organizer and officer of the Vietnamese Cultural Association of Minnesota, which as early as 1977 sponsored a week-long conference, To Save and Maintain Our Culture
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

22. Interview with George Budd (1915-2009), St. Cloud State University Oral History Collection, St. Cloud, Minnesota

Creator:
St. Cloud State University
Date Created:
1981-07-28
Description:
In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Professor of History Calvin (Cal) Gower on July 28, 1981, George Budd discussed his family history and educational background. Born in 1915 in Oswego, New York, Budd talked about pursuing an education during the Great Depression, as well as his family's reaction to his decision to teach. Budd delayed college for three years after high school and then attended the Oswego Normal School. After graduation, Budd taught for three years before moving to Buffalo, New York, to earn his bachelor's degree. Budd served in the Air Force during World War II, which made it possible for him to earn a master's and doctorate degrees at Columbia University. This led him to administrative positions at Washington State and in Oneonta, New York. He also in detailed the process by which he pursued the St. Cloud State presidency, a post he served from 1952 to 1965. Budd left in 1965 to become the president of Pittsburg State University in Kansas. Budd felt that he was unprepared for the St. Cloud State presidency, not really knowing what to expect. He discussed the tremendous growth in population, both in St. Cloud itself as well as at the university, and its affect on his administration. Budd provided a detailed account of how the change from a teacher's college to a state university transformed the campus, leading to new buildings, a complete makeover of the curriculum, and the growth in community involvement. Budd tackled a variety of other topics, from the change in student demeanor and activity throughout his years as president, from those accomplishments he is most proud of, including the establishment of a summer theatre and the Alexandria-St. Cloud State College Performing Arts Foundation, and of the importance of the Alumni Foundation. He also talked about the idea that this was a period of tremendous growth throughout the country, and he simply tried to help St. Cloud State adapt to growing needs and desires of students who did not want to be teachers.
Contributing Institution:
St. Cloud State University
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

23. Interviews with eight elderly people at Pioneer Apartments, Ely, Minnesota

Date Created:
1982 - 1983
Description:
Part 1 of 2: Elderly residents of Pioneer Apartments in 1977. They discuss school memories from early 1900s including teachers, activities, and sports. They also discuss after school activities including their chores, outdoor games, winter sports, dances, picnics, and family life. Other topics include: boarding houses and boarders, the Pengilly Mine, and the Ojibwe families on Burntside Lake and Basswood Lake. Also discussed are the 1910 forest fire and the Vail Hotel fire. Part 2 of 2: Interview with former teacher Mrs. Evancho...? Teacher and principal at the 26-Zenith-Savoy location school which had two classrooms and two teachers. She taught grades 3-6. Mr. Burns, superintendent.
Contributing Institution:
Ely-Winton Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

24. Interview with Angela Miklaucic, Ely, Minnesota

Creator:
Mklaucic, Angela
Date Created:
1982 - 1983
Description:
This interview discusses the topic of immigration and Angela's parents, Rosalie and John, and their journey from Yugoslavia, circa 1890. Angela was born in Ely on August 17, 1900. She also discusses family life, Lincoln School, St. Anthony's Catholic Church, her marriage, mines, and life in early Ely.
Contributing Institution:
Ely-Winton Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

25. Interview with Vivian E. Tuomikoski, Ely, Minnesota

Creator:
Tuomikoski, Vivian E.
Date Created:
1982 - 1983
Description:
Interview with Vivian Tumoikoski. This interview discusses homesteading near One Pine Lake in early 1900. Topics include, dairy farm, chores, milking, bottling, selling, haymaking, and hired help. Vivian also discusses making ice and harvesting ice as well as recreation and family travels.
Contributing Institution:
Ely-Winton Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories
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