Browse Items (61 total)
| Thumbnail | Title | Description | Date | Date Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| Betty J. Vaughn Oral History Interview | In this oral history interview, Betty J. Vaughn discusses her role as the first female supervisor of Olin Brass in East Alton. She also describes her childhood growing up on a farm in Bethalto and changes in Madison County throughout her life. | 2018-07-10 | September 16, 2018 | |
| Ken Conrady Oral History Interview | In this oral history interview, Ken Conrady describes his long career leading the Alton Youth Symphony. Conrady describes the symphony's early years, its relationship with local schools, and how it has changed over the decades. | October 11, 2018 | December 4, 2018 | |
| Mike McNamara Oral History Interview | In this oral history interview, Mike McNamara describes his life and career in Alton. McNamara describes his childhood and school years. He then goes into detail about his career with the Alton police department, including his promotions through the ranks and various high-profile crimes in Alton. McNamara also talks about his experience owning rental properties in Alton and reflects on how Alton changed over time. | October 11, 2018 | December 6, 2018 | |
| Martha Roberts Oral History | In this oral history interview, Martha Roberts describes her experiences with the Alton Municipal (Muny) Band since the 1980s. She discusses the band's history and her role as the band manager for the past five years. Please note: Initial audio recording on October 11 malfunctioned and recorded only the last portion of the interview. The interviewer recorded the first portion of the interview again on October 17. |
October 11, 2018 to October 17, 2018 | December 6, 2018 | |
| Jim Pennekamp Oral History Interview | In this oral history interview, Jim Pennekamp describes his role in various economic development organizations in the St. Louis metro area and Madison County, including the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation, the St. Louis Regional Commerce and Growth Association, the Tri-Cities Area Chamber of Commerce (now called Southwest Madison County Chamber of Commerce), the Greater Alton Twin Rivers Growth Association (now called the Riverbend Growth Association), and University Park at SIUE. He also describes growing up in New Jersey and Brussels, Belgium, his participation in the anti-Vietnam War movement in the 1960s and 70s, and his early career as a deputy juvenile officer in Jefferson County. He also reflects on changes in Madison County and the broader region in the second half of the twentieth century, particularly related to globalization and the transition from an industrial to a service-based economy. | October 24, 2018 | February 15, 2019 | |
| Norma Glazebrook Oral History Interview | In this oral history, Norma Galzebrook of Alton, Illinois discusses her childhood from the 1940s in Godfrey, Illinois and her early baton twirling career. She mentions seeing Robert Wadlow in her youth as well as her days at the Alton Telegraph during the 1950s. Also discussed is the creation Glazebrook Park, established in honor of her late husband, as well as her extensive work with the St. Louis chapter of the Make-A-Wish foundation. | December 2, 2018 | February 15, 2019 | |
| Mary Huntley Oral History Interview | In this oral history interview, Mary Huntley describes her career as the director of the Hayner Public Library system in Alton, as well as her and her husband's involvement in the Civil Rights movement when they lived in Alabama. She also discusses her involvement with the local Democratic Party, her husband's role as director of the SIUE University Museum, and her childhood in North Carolina. | May 27, 2019 | August 29, 2019 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 |