Madison County Oral Histories (66 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
	Ron Holland Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, Ron Holland describes his role as bass player for the Granite City band Rising Sons, as well as the music culture and other local bands in St. Louis and Granite City. He also describes how the band changed after he was drafted into the Vietnam War in 1968.	September 7, 2018	September 14, 2018
	Mary Kane Oral History	In this oral history interview, Mary Kane discusses her role with the Southwestern Illinois Metropolitan and Regional Planning Commission. In particular, she describes the establishment of the Missouri-Illinois regional partnership in the 1970s to create interstate public transportation in the St. Louis metro region.	April 18, 2018	September 13, 2018
	Sam Stemm Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, Sam Stemm discusses his career with the local Alton station WBGZ. He also describes growing up in Alton, going to SIUE as a mass communications major, national conservative radio stations, and the history of WBGZ.	June 12, 2018	September 12, 2018
	William (Bill) Haine Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, State Senator William (Bill) Haine discusses his childhood in Alton, Illinois, his career in the law, and his time as an Illinois state senator.	May 4, 2018	July 27, 2018
	Jonathan Verduzco Gil Adams Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, Jonathan Verduzco Gil Adams discusses the experience of living in the United States as a Mexican-American who emigrated as a child. Jonathan describes childhood in Mexico, differences in education between the United States and Mexico, and experiences in American university. Jonathan also gives advice to Mexican immigrants.	November 26, 2017	June 26, 2018
	Tannya Sanchez Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, Ecuadorian immigrant Tannya Sanchez discusses moving to Madison County to learn English and become a Spanish teacher. She describes growing up in Ecuador, how life in Highland compares to Eduador, and education in both Ecuador and the United States. She also gives advice to other immigrants to the United States.	November 11, 2017	June 26, 2018
	Stephanie Robbins Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, Stephanie Robbins describes her experiences as an attorney in Madison County. She discusses her role as the first female assistant state's attorney in Madison County in the 1970s, particularly her success in helping to achieve rape convictions. She further talks about her experience as a special public defender, as well as the Democratic Party Machine in Madison County in the 70s and Madison County's reputation as a "judicial hellhole." She also briefly discusses her short time as a Spanish professor at SIUE in the early 70s and her experiences as a woman in law school.	January 30, 2018	May 7, 2018
	Gary Niebur Oral History Interview	Gary Niebur is a lifelong resident of Edwardsville and was the Mayor for seven terms. In this interview, he talks about the development and growth of Edwardsville from the 1980s through the 2000s. Along with the economic growth, Niebur explains the challenges he faced as Mayor concerning residential, infrastructure, and property taxes.	January 10, 2018	May 7, 2018
	John Cunningham Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, John Cunningham describes his experiences as the president of the Edwardsville branch of the NAACP. He begins by discussing his youth in Missouri, Alabama, and East St. Louis, and going to college at Southern Illinois University Carbondale as a young African American. He describes his career as a teacher in East St. Louis and as various administrative positions in Alton schools.	January 24, 2018	May 7, 2018
	Herman Shaw Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, Herman Shaw describes his experiences with segregation and racial adversity throughout his life, both in his community and throughout his travels. He describes his experience as a young boy growing up in Missouri during the Great Depression and World War II. He then discusses his life after moving to Edwardsville in 1944 and how things have changed in that community over time. He describes how his education, his participation in sports, his service in the military, and key people in his life have influenced him. He also discusses his work at the Alton State Hospital, at University City High School, and his volunteer work with the Human Relations Commission in Edwardsville.	February 12, 2018	April 18, 2018