Laura Deering shares information about her research investigating the Underground Railroad in Southeast Minnesota. The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
This sound clip highlights the 4-H program in Roseau County over the yeas. The Roseau County Historical Society prepared this radio script to share county history through broadcasts on KJ102 FM in Roseau. The topics highlight the history of Roseau County and the people that lived there.
This sound clip highlights the lives of Everett and Edith Battles who lived in Clear River Township and Warroad. The Roseau County Historical Society prepared this radio script to share county history through broadcasts on KJ102 FM in Roseau. The topics highlight the history of Roseau County and the people that lived there.
In this interview, Orville Jensen talks about where he taught before joining the staff at Wilson Campus School, his time at Wilson, and what he did after the school closed. This oral history interview was conducted as part of the Wilson Campus School Oral History Project conducted by the Southern Minnesota Historical Center at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Wilson Campus School was a lab school for the college.
Contributing Institution:
University Archives and Southern Minnesota Historical Center, Memorial Library, Minnesota State University, Mankato
In this interview, Janet Albrecht talks about being a parent of students at the school, different activities that her daughters participated in, and what she thought of the school. This oral history interview was conducted as part of the Wilson Campus School Oral History Project conducted by the Southern Minnesota Historical Center at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Wilson Campus School was a lab school for the college.
Contributing Institution:
University Archives and Southern Minnesota Historical Center, Memorial Library, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Dr. Sajady is an Afghan American and shares her outdoor stories and perspectives as a pediatrician who encourages families to get outdoors and experience nature.
In this interview, Gene Broughten talks about his time at Wilson Campus School, the changes that happened in 1968, and what he did after Wilson closed. This oral history interview was conducted as part of the Wilson Campus School Oral History Project conducted by the Southern Minnesota Historical Center at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Wilson Campus School was a lab school for the college.
Contributing Institution:
University Archives and Southern Minnesota Historical Center, Memorial Library, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Mark Reisetter shares about his experience serving in Vietnam and the therapeutic benefits of fly fishing. The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
Reynold "Ray" Steffenhagen (1920-2008) of Lake City, Minnesota discusses working in the family business of Sugar Loaf Dairy, Guernsey cows, pasteurizing and bottling milk, working for the Lake City Post Office, and being drafted into the army during World War II.
In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Archivist Jerry Westby on May 15, 1990, Herb Goodrich explained his family and educational history. He was born in Manhattan, and raised in Brooklyn, New York. His father emigrated from Russia, while his mother was from Poland. Goodrich attended the City College of New York, where he received his bachelor's degree in Education. Goodrich then went to Penn State, where he received his master's degree and then earned his doctorate in Mass Communications from the University of Illinois. He highlighted his upbringing in the very urban Brooklyn, New York, and the vast differences between that world and St. Cloud, Minnesota. Goodrich arrived at St. Cloud State in 1964. He discussed his first years at St. Cloud State, comparing them with the university in 1990. For instance, he talked about how the huge growth in student population was accompanied by a failure of the state of Minnesota to provide sufficient funds and resources to deal with that growth. He claimed that the growth contributed to a decline in familiarity and personal connections among staff, as well as a greater focus on publishing rather than the classroom. Goodrich described how the students themselves changed during his time at St. Cloud State. He claimed that when he arrived in the 1960s, students were very demanding and not afraid to question what was being taught. In 1990, he felt that students were much quieter, and that there had been somewhat of a withdrawal from active learning. Goodrich discussed the St. Cloud State's perception as a ""party"" school, and how that has affected both students and faculty. Goodrich discussed the relationship between the university and the community of St. Cloud. Here he felt his ideas about universities was often seen as a threat to a conservative community, and how St. Cloud State fit into that idea. Goodrich discussed the highs and lows he experienced as a teacher, and how both relate to his impact, or lack thereof, on his students. Overall, he gave an insightful analysis of how the school changed, both on a large scale, and on a smaller scale by discussing changes within his own department, and credited the university for 26 years of wonderful academic and teaching experience. Goodrich retired in 1990.
In this interview, Hilja Karvonen talks about what she did before she taught at Wilson Campus School, her experience at Wilson, and what she did after Wilson. This oral history interview was conducted as part of the Wilson Campus School Oral History Project conducted by the Southern Minnesota Historical Center at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Wilson Campus School was a lab school for the college.
Contributing Institution:
University Archives and Southern Minnesota Historical Center, Memorial Library, Minnesota State University, Mankato
In an oral history, Charles Warnberg, a former sheriff of Crow Wing County, talks about the the old jail/sheriff's residence, the state of law enforcement when he was in office, and some the crimes that were committed.
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.
Jill was the editor for the St. Charles Press at the time of this interview and shared memories about former editor, L. A. Warming, and his role in lobbying for the establishment of Whitewater State Park in 1919.
In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Professor of History Calvin (Cal) Gower on March 25, 1982, Vernon Leitch described his college education (receiving degrees at Moorhead State University, Bowling Green State University, and the University of Northern Colorado) and early involvement in working with the Inter-Faculty Organization (IFO). He stated that he was a member of teaching unions while he taught high school in Barrett and Hibbing, Minnesota, but was not active. He discussed why he became involved with the IFO, explaining the reason for pursuing a connection with the Minnesota Education Association (MEA) and how people's opinions of that connection changed. Leitch described the work he did for the IFO-MEA, claiming that it took a great deal of time, work, and effort. In addition, Leitch expressed his thoughts on what made the campaign a success. Leitch chronicled his involvement with the IFO-MEA after the successful campaign. He served as president for a few years for the union and described the goals he tried to accomplish while in that position. He claimed that being the first president was difficult. Leitch felt that since every decision that was made could set a precedent, resulting in a very cautious and somewhat conservative approach. He also discussed the MEA and their involvement in collective bargaining at SCSU after the election. Leitch discussed what he believes to be the successes of the IFO-MEA, along with some concerns he has for the future. He felt that after the victory, there was much less complaining about difference in salaries. However, he stated that the IFO-MEA has not been as involved in campus policy-making as he would have liked. Leitch was optimistic about the future of collective bargaining, as long as faculty stay involved, and not leaving the responsibility to a handful of individuals.
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.
Holly Young is a Dakota beadwork artist who shares about her journey discovering the stories of her ancestors through learning traditional beadwork. The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
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.
Jim Stubstad (1922-2011) describes the development of Central Point in Lake City, and his life on Lake Pepin. He discusses his career in the US Navy and in rocket science, and boating, ice boating, boat building, sailing, and climbing Maiden Rock at Lake Pepin. He mentions the Sea Wing Disaster, water pollution, Zump Adolph's popcorn stand, the Old Goats Club, and renovation of the Lake City State Bank clock.
In this interview, Joel Jensen talks about what it was like at Wilson after the changed format, his classes, and his life after Wilson. This oral history interview was conducted as part of the Wilson Campus School Oral History Project conducted by the Southern Minnesota Historical Center at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Wilson Campus School was a lab school for the college.
Contributing Institution:
University Archives and Southern Minnesota Historical Center, Memorial Library, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Kao Tao shares about the Hmong refugee experience and the significance of the Whitewater River valley to the Se Asian community. The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Professor of History Calvin (Cal) Gower on April 6, 1982, Louis Filippi described how his parents came from Italy before World War I and settled Keewatin, a town in Minnesota's Iron Range. Born in 1920, Filippi discussed life in the Iron Range and the camaraderie that he formed with other children whose parents also came from Europe. Filippi discussed his motivations for attending St. Cloud State after graduating from high school in 1939, including that two of his favorite hockey goalies, Frank Brimsek and Sam LoPresti, attended the university. Filippi chronicled his time at St. Cloud State, especially the teachers he particularly admired, such as Roland Torgerson and George Lynch. Filippi mentioned that he lived with other Iron Range men throughout his college career and that they tended to stick together. Filippi played football, baseball, basketball, and track. He also discussed the effects that events such as the Great Depression and World War II had on his college career. Filippi described his impressions of St. Cloud State. He discussed the socioeconomic backgrounds of most of the students, believing that most were of lower-income families. Filippi claimed that most of the students he knew were eager to have jobs while going to school. He also discussed the "esprit de corps" among the students, claiming that they had an immense pride in the school and were involved in supporting the school at most functions. Filippi felt the community was supportive of the university, but not strong and adamant supporters of its activities. After graduation from St. Cloud State in 1943, Filippi entered the service, despite having a contract with the Philadelphia Eagles to play football. When he finally returned from overseas in 1946, he opted out of his contract with the Eagles and moved to Little Falls, Minnesota, to work as a coach and teacher and as an NCAA referee.
Janet Koplos is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Minnesota School of Journalism and Mass Communications and earned a masters degree in art history from Illinois State University. She has been writing regularly on all art mediums for 25 years, in newspapers, magazines, catalogs and books. In this interview, Koplos discusses her early interactions with potters from Minnesota while at the University of Minnesota; perceptions of the local and national ceramics field; her life as a journalist and art critic; and experience as a visitor to 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.
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.
