Marie Ehrenberg was living in hospice care in St. Charles and her last wish was to visit Whitewater State Park. She shares about growing up on a farm in the area and her memories of spending time at the park with her father. The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
Mike's family has lived in the Whitewater Valley since 1890. Mike shared memories growing up in the valley and the family business at Mauer Brothers Tavern in Elba, Minnesota.
Andrea Richards and Ruth Ann Collins and their families share about their group of divorced women who have created memorable camping traditions each year at Whitewater State Park. The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
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.
Anna was born and raised in Winona and shared memories her Aunt, Mildred Sebo, who was instrumental in planning the first Territorial Centennial Pageant held at Whitewater State park in 1933 and who helped found the Winona Historical Society.
Arash Shambayati is an Iranian refugee who discovered trout fishing at Whitewater State Park in the 1970s. He shares how the park has changed. The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
Barbara is a historian and author of the book, "Hard Work and a Good Deal: The Civilian Conservation Corps in Minnesota." She shared memories her experience interviewing some of the African American men who were involved in the CCC in Minnesota.
Ben Gessner is a Collections Associate for the Minnesota Historical Society. His work focuses on American Indian and Fine Arts Collections. He shares about his work and the process of repatriating artifacts. The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
Bob is a Soil Conservationist and shared memories growing up in the Whitewater Area and memories of his father, John, who was also a soil conservationist and who died along with his wife in the historic flood of 2007.
Bob shares his memories of being an area biology technician for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and helping with the wild turkey reintroduction. He also talks about his time as Assistant Manager of the Whitewater Wildlife Management Area.
Bucky Flores shares information about his American Indian heritage and the importance of connecting chidren to the outdoors. The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
This interview contains some outdated information as the research discussed has since been updated. Dr. Jefferson is a retired Winona State University ecology professor and amateur historian. She shared memories how she became interested in researching early abolitionists in the Winona area and what she's discovered about the possible connections to the Underground Railroad in southeast Minnesota.
Charles Loggins was the first African American District Conservationist in Minnesota. In this interview he shares about his work with the Soil Conservation Service and working with farmers in Winona County. The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
Dr. Hyman is a history professor at Winona State University and author of the book, "Dakota Women's Work: Creativity, Culture, & Exile." She shared memories her pathway to becoming a history professor and how she became interested in the traditional arts and crafts of Dakota women.
Dan Keyler is a retired Toxicologist for Hennepin County Medical Center and an expert on timber rattlesnake venom. He shares about his pathway to becoming fascinated by rattlesnakes and some of the common misconceptions about these snakes. The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
Dave Palmquist shares about his 38-year career as a naturalist at Whitewater State Park. His wife, Kathy Palmquist, shares about her experiences as a school teacher bringing students to Whitewater State Park. The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
Elaine Holst shares information about how her grandparents homesteaded in the Whitewater Valley, the many floods she experienced, and the legacy of conservation farming she and her husband established. The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
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.
Frank shared memories growing up in the Whitewater area, working at Whitewater State Park during college, and talks about his father, Alex, who farmed in the Whitewater Valley and later led soil conservation tours of the Whitewater Valley.
Gene McGarry shares his experiences of being a Whitewater State Park ranger and the historic flood of 2007. The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
