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
	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
	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
	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
	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