Browse Items (76 total)

Thumbnail	Title	Description	Date	Date Added
	Arthur Bedian Oral History Interview	This oral history interview with Arthur Bedian was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History. Author Bedian lived his whole life in Lincoln Place and was born to an immigrant father from Armenia. In this interview, he talks about his father’s experience immigrating through Ellis Island, growing up in Lincoln Place, the community center, and his time and service in the Armenian Orthodox Church. There was no audio recording of this interview in the original archive, but there is a transcript and biographical summary.	November 18, 2001	September 2, 2018
	Carmen Cook Oral History Interview	This oral history interview with Carmen Cook was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History. Carmen Cook was born at Lincoln Place in 1943, where she spent most of her life, to Mexican immigrant parents. In this interview, she talks about her childhood and life, the ethnic diversity of the community, the Cinco de Mayo celebrations, the legacy of Ruben Mendoza (the Olympic soccer player), and the scholarship that was set-up in the name of Joe Gonzalez.	November 18, 2001	February 20, 2018
	Richard and Susan Depigian Oral History Interview	This oral history interview with Richard and Susan Depigian was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History. Richard and Susan Depigian discuss life in Lincoln Place and their Armenian heritage. They share information about the customs and traditions, as well as the “clans” that developed out of, their heritage. The ethnic diversity of Lincoln Place is addressed. Both Richard and Susan discuss their parents experienced during the Armenian genocide.	November 17, 2001	February 20, 2018
	Mary Spaich Oral History Interview	This oral history interview with Mary Spaich was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History. In this interview, Mary Spaich discusses growing up in the Lincoln Place neighborhood of Granite City. She was born in Granite City in 1916 to Serbian parents who had immigrated from Yugoslavia in 1914. She describes her life in Lincoln Place and changes in the area since her childhood.	November 16, 2001	April 29, 2020
	Michael Torosian Oral History Interview	This oral history interview with Michael Torosian was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History. Mr. Torosian is a first-generation American. His father emigrated from Armenia in 1913. His mother was a refugee; she emigrated sometime after the genocide of the Armenians in 1915. Mr. Torosian was born in Lincoln Place and describes growing up there as the most wonderful childhood anyone could have. He lived there for the first twenty-nine years of his life, excluding the time he was in the service. Mr. Torosian indicated that the community center played a major part in his life as a child. He states that from the age of eight or nine, he was there almost every night. He stated that the Community Center was the envy of the surrounding area. The combination of caring people, citizenship classes, sewing classes and a beautiful basketball gymnasium made the center a wonderful place. Additionally, the fact that it was paid for by Mr. Howard and constructed with local labor provided employment for many families in Lincoln Place during the depression. Mr. Torosian described the mix of different ethnic groups as educational. Lincoln Place provided the structure for education about many different cultures. Everyone learned from each other. The sense of community was very evident in Lincoln Place. Mr. Torosian and I also discussed the Armenian Genocide and issues surrounding its lack of acknowledgment and publicity. He graciously states that genocide was the responsibility of the regime in charge at the time, and not all the Turks.	November 15, 2001	March 18, 2018
	Venka Ambuehl Oral History Interview	This oral history interview with Venka Ambuehl was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History. Born to Bulgarian immigrant parents in 1925, Venka Ambuehl spent her whole life in Lincoln Place. In this interview, she talks about growing up in this diverse community and how much it shaped the way she sees the world. From events at the local community center to an array of traditions this multicultural community used to celebrate Christmas, she talks in-depth about her younger years at Lincoln Place.	November 15, 2001	February 17, 2018
	Henry Ybarra Oral History Interview	This oral history interview with Henry Ybarra was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History. Mr. Ybarra speaks about his time growing up in Lincoln Place as well as his family in and trips to Mexico. He utilizes photographs to guide his father, uncle, and other family members and their experiences in Mexico. Mr. Ybarra emphasizes his sense of pride about bring a resident of Lincoln Place. Among the many topics Henry Ybarra talks about are his lifelong residency at Lincoln Place, working at Prairie Farms Dairy, his Mexican heritage, yearly trips to Mexico, and his family.	November 14, 2001	March 18, 2018
	Edward Asadorian Oral History Interview	This oral history interview with Edward Asadorian was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History. Born to Armenian immigrant parents in the 1920s, Edward Asadorian talks in-depth about the importance of retaining his cultural roots and passing those traditions on to his own kids. He also explains how his father came to this country and his families close relationship to the local Armenian priesthood.	November 14, 2001	February 17, 2018
	Mary Bogosian Carson Oral History Interview	This oral history interview with Mary Bogosian Carson was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History. Mary Carson was raised in Lincoln Place where she spent most of her life. In this interview, she talks about her childhood, the diversity of Lincoln Place, the “Clubhouse” where kids would spend their time, and the 1940s basketball championship team.	November 10, 2001	February 20, 2018
	Charles Woodford Oral History Interview	This oral history interview with Charles Woodford was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History. Charles A. Woodford talks at length about his experience as a B-17 tail-gunner in World War II. He also discusses his childhood in Iowa, a career as an air force employee, and life in the Lincoln Place neighborhood.	November 8, 2001	March 18, 2018