Madison County Oral Histories (63 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
	William Iseminger Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, William (Bill) Iseminger, the assistant manager of Cahokia Mounds State Historic site, describes his career at the site and the broader history of the site in the 20th century. He also describes the archaeology work and its discoveries at the site.	September 27, 2018	February 12, 2019
	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
	Wendell and Barb McAfoos Oral History Interview	Wendell and Barb McAfoos were born and raised in Alton, Illinois. In this interview, they describe their lives in the Alton area through the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. Topics covered include school life, cars, school socials, daily challenges and everyday life in rural Illinois, segregation of public spaces, desegregation of the Alton schools, toys and games kids played, their founding of the health club “Metro Sports,” and the history of industry in the Alton area.	November 16, 2018	February 15, 2019
	Valorie Childers Oral History Interview	Valorie Childers describes her experiences of living in West Alton during the Flood of 1993. She also describes the circumstances surrounding the levee’s break, as well as the hardships faced for those flood survivors and their attempts to rebuild. She briefly discusses the involvement of the Red Cross and the Army Corp of Engineers during the flood.	December 11, 2016	February 14, 2017
	Tom Pile Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, Tom Pile discusses his career as the head baseball coach at Edwardsville High School and details how the baseball team became one of the most successful in the country. He describes the various awards that he won over his career, as well as the impact that coaching has had on his life.	July 11, 2017	February 2, 2018
	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
	Thom Swain Oral History Interview	In this oral history, Thom Swain discusses his ownership of the Fat Cats nightclub and music venue in Edwardsville during the 1980s. He also describes Madison County's music and entertainment scene since the 1980s. Finally, he describes his management of several bands in the area.	October 14, 2016	December 1, 2016
	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
	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