Madison County Oral Histories (68 total)

These oral history interviews were conducted by interviewers associated with Madison Historical and touch on various topics in Madison County history. These topics vary by interviewee.

Thumbnail	Title	Description	Date	Date Added
	Morgan Scroggins Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview Morgan Scroggins describes his career as a defense attorney and public defender in Madison County, Illinois. Scroggins describes how he chose a career in the law due to his father, his time as a student at SIUE, law school at SIU Carbondale, and his thoughts on Madison County's legal system.	June 15, 2025	September 10, 2025
	Chuck Sanderson Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, Chuck Sanderson describes his business and hobby of running multiple pinball-themed businesses in Madison County. He describes two businesses he's run and the community of pinball enthusiasts in the region during the early twenty-first century.	June 11, 2025	September 9, 2025
	Carol Dappert Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, Carol Dappert discusses her childhood in Glen Carbon, Illinois, her career in the St. Louis region, and various developments in Glen Carbon, Edwardsville, and Collinsville during the 1970s-2000s.	June 12, 2025	August 27, 2025
	Arthur Vambaketes Follow Up Oral History Interview	In this interview Brian K. Weaver, Sr. follows up a previous discussion with Arthur Vambaketes concerning the immigration process of his family from Greece at the turn of the 20th century. The interview delves deeper into the Greek heritage cultural patterns in Madison County and the greater St. Louis Metropolitan area. Special attention is given to the role that their family business, Tony's Ranch House Restaurant and Lounge in Godfrey, Illinois, plays in the social structure of northeastern Madison County and environs.	June 10, 2024	July 30, 2024
	Arthur Vambaketes Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, Brian K. Weaver, Sr. describes the Greek American heritage of the Alton-Godfrey region. Brian Weaver also discusses immigration and entrepreneurship concerning the Greek community, as well as community change of the region from the 1960s to the 2020s. Arthur Vambaketes, part of the Vambaketes family owners of Tony's Ranch House Restaurant and Lounge, describes the Greek American experience in Madison County.	May 28, 2024	July 30, 2024
	Tiffany Rogers Oral History Interview	This interview with Nurse Tiffany Rogers explains the power that family exerts on its inhabitants to remain, especially despite the decline of local retail presence.	October 26, 2023	November 20, 2023
	Greg Kessler Oral History Interview	This interview, with Madison County musician and historian of the local music scene, Greg Kessler, discusses the alternative music scene in Madison County and St. Louis during the 1980s.	November 3, 2021	November 22, 2021
	Kathy Childers Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, Kathy Childers discusses her family's Macedonian heritage and her father John Bellcoff, who was the mayor of Madison, Illinois from 1985 to 1997 and the Madison County Democratic Chairman from 1990 to 1994. She discusses how her family continues to practice Macedonian cultural traditions, including food, clothing, and dancing. She also describes her father's political career, including his role in establishing the Gateway Racetrack in Madison. She also discusses her grandfather's grocery store in Madison, Bellcoff and Son, and her and her father's work with funeral homes.	July 17, 2019	November 4, 2019
	Robert Coppersmith Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, Edwardsville resident Robert Coppersmith describes his experience in the United States Marine Corps, particularly his time in boot camp and as a tank mechanic. He was interviewed by his daughter, Eryn Coppersmith.	July 21, 2019	November 4, 2019
	Joann Condellone Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, Joann Condellone describes growing up with her family of Italian immigrant coal miners in Collinsville. She talks about her struggles with misogyny as a woman in the military, as well as her career in midwifery and various travels around the world.	February 14, 2019	September 4, 2019