Interviews

Search more than 1,000 interviews in more than a dozen oral history collections. Search by collection name or interviewee name.

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Pam Gray - Modern Era

From State Fair volunteer to Director of the IL State Fair Museum.

Dennis Green - Tumultuous 2020

Lawrence County grain farmer describes the impact of the pandemic on farming.

Dr. James Green - IHSA

Team doctor for Jacksonville High School shares his perspective on his role in sports.

Robert Green - World War II

U.S. Naval officer who served a number of roles in the Pacific Theater

Linda Greene - IHSA

Coach of Rockford Auburn High School Scholastic Bowl for twenty-four years.

Carl Greenwood - Korean War

Marine infantryman and Chosin Reservoir survivor

Redd Griffin - Ronald Reagan In Dixon

A teacher, writer, and historian reflects on Reagan's political career and Homecoming in Dixon celebration.

Michael Griffith - Public School Funding

Expert on school funding models reviews Illinois's recent history.

Summer Griffith - Tumultuous 2020

Summer Griffith shares about the loss of her mother due to COVID-19

Robert Paul Grimes - Korean War

Korean War era infantryman who served with the 3rd Infantry Division

Stella Grobe - Ronald Reagan In Dixon

Researcher with the Lee County Historical Society reflects on her memories of young Ronald Reagan.

Al Grosboll - Pension Crisis in Illinois

One of Gov. Jim Edgar's key executive assistants discusses Edgar's attempt to fix Illinois' pension problem

Allen Grosboll - Governor Jim Edgar Project

Worked with Jim Edgar in the offices of Secretary of State and Governor

Rob Grossi - Public School Funding

A township school treasurer discusses Illinois school funding.

Cathy Gruzinsky - Alternatives in Education

Teacher and administrator at Quest Academy in Palatine, IL.

Andrea Guzman - Civics Education

Communications Studies professor examines the current state of journalism in America.

Ut Ha - Vietnam War

A civilian survivor of the Vietnam War who fled that country in 1987

Susan Haake - Architectural Gems

Video tour of the Abraham & Mary Lincoln home in Springfield, Illinois

Paul Hackett - World War II

Storekeeper on board the U.S.S. Mindanao in the Pacific Theater

Dr. Lynne Haeffele - School District Reorganization

Policy Director for Education in Lt. Governor Sheila Simon’s office.

Terry Hairrell - Vietnam War

Infantry squad leader with the 196th Infantry Brigade during the Vietnam War

Georgia Hale - Springfield African-American History Foundation

Bank worker, church and community volunteer

Steve Hall - Korean War

The end of the War

Ruth Hambleton - Modern Era

A farm extension specialist starts a business program for farm wives.

Joseph Hamburg - World War II

Radio operator for the 9th Infantry Division in Europe

Jennifer Hamilton - School District Reorganization

Superintendent for dual school districts located in Ohio, Illinois.

Robert Hamm - World War II

Engineer who served on the U.S.S. Franklin in the Pacific

Arvid Theodors Hammers - Immigrant Stories

A Latvian immigrant who arrived in America in 1951 after several years in German refugee camps.

Kenneth Hanson - Korean War

Korean War infantryman and prisoner of war

Kermit Harden - World War II

94th Division veteran and prisoner of war in Germany

Susan Harkin - Pension Crisis in Illinois

Illinois Pension Crisis from the perspective of a school district financial officer

Cheryl Harlow - Tumultuous 2020

Director of Brimfield Public Library District discusses the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the library and surrounding community

Alan Harn - Historians Speak

An Illinois archaeologist reflects on his career

Amber Harper - School District Reorganization

A career teacher and school administrator discusses school reorganization initiatives.

Patrick Harper - Tumultuous 2020

USPHS commander details his experience with the COVID-19 pandemic

Roy Harrington - Modern Era

Long-time employee of John Deere discusses equipment innovations.

Kathryn Harris - Historians Speak

Kathryn Harris portrays Civil War legend Harriet Tubman.

Kathryn Harris - Civil Rights Stories

Kathryn discusses her family life as an African-American in southern Illinois

Kathryn Harris - IHPA legacy

Kathryn discusses her career with IL State Historical Library and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library

Manker Harris - Civil Rights Stories

A Church of God minister who was very active in the civil rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s

Jerry Harrison - School District Reorganization

A member of Illinois' Classrooms First Commission discusses school reorganization.

Ava Harston - School District Reorganization

Member of the Governor's Classroom First Commission discusses school reorganization.

Myles Harston - Modern Era

Discussion with Owner and Manager of Aqua Ranch (fish and vegetables).

Neil Hartigan - Governor Jim Edgar Project

Former Illinois Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and 1990 gubernatorial candidate

Charles Hartke - Modern Era

Discussion with a life-long farmer and the former Director of Agriculture for IL.

Robert Hartley - Historians Speak

Journalist and author of numerous works on Illinois history and politics.

Dennis Hastert - Legislators Project

An Illinois legislator from 1981 through 1986 before heading to the U.S. House

Dr. Dale Hastings - School District Reorganization

Superintendent of the Milford Area Public Schools District #124 discusses his district's reorganization.

Dianna Hatfield - Modern Era

Nineteen year old 4-H and FFA member shares experiences in agriculture.

Curtis Haug - Tumultuous 2020

Manager of minor league baseball team discusses impact of pandemic

Margaret Hawkins - Central Illinois Charities

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois Storybook Project

Ann Hayden - World War II

A riveter in a Boeing Aircraft plant in Seattle Washington during WWII

Denis Healy - Korean War

U.S. Army MP in postwar Korea

Shawn Healy - Civics Education

Civics advocate discusses 'Bring Back Civics campaign' and HB 4025.

Jody Heavner - Modern Era

Changing farm practices lead to raising beef and elk for market.

David Hedrick - IHPA legacy

Site Superintendent of Lincoln’s New Salem Historic Site

Burnell Heinecke - Family Memories

Burnell's early life in Freeburg, IL and education.

Beverly Helm-Renfro - Obama in Illinois

Administrative assistant to State Senator Barack Obama

Beverly Helm-Renfro - General Interest -Statecraft

Daughter of photographer ‘Doc’ Helm, and admin asst to state Senator Barack Obama from 2001 to 2004

Beverly Helm-Renfro - Springfield African-American History Foundation

Daughter of photographer ‘Doc’ Helm, and admin asst to state Senator Barack Obama from 2001 to 2004

Albert Helregel - World War II

Member of the 33rd Infantry Division Field Artillery in the European Theater

Muriel Helsel - World War II

Witness to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor

Margaret Henderson - World War II

Naval Intelligence Office worker for the European Theater

Wally Henderson - IHPA legacy

Architect who worked on the Old State Capitol restoration project

Carter Hendren - Governor Jim Edgar Project

Campaign Manager for Jim Edgar

Douglas Henning - Public School Funding

A legal group member of Chicago Public Schools gives information about a 2017 CPS lawsuit.

Susan Henry - Alternatives in Education

Home school parent discusses the benefits and challenges of home schooling.

John Herbst - War On Terror

Army MP who served in Kosovo in 2002

Paul Hergenrother - Tumultuous 2020

University of Illinois Chemist discusses development of the Shield Illinois Saliva test

Barbara Hernandez - Tumultuous 2020

Illinois State Representative discusses the impact of COVID-19 on state government and her district

Richard Herndon - Cold War Era

Growing up with a fallout shelter in the basement

Charles Herr - Sangamon County

Lifelong Chatham, Illinois resident and Air Force veteran

Lorene Herschberger - Modern Era

Amish farm couple talk about life on an Amish farm

Oba Herschberger - Modern Era

Amish farm couple talk about life on an Amish farm

Ken Hersemann - Korean War

Mess Sergeant for artillery unit during Korean War

Richard Hertel - Vietnam War

Personnel clerk and chapel organist in Vietnam

Diana Hess - Civics Education

Professor of Curriculum and Instruction at the U. of Wisconsin discusses civics education.

Nichole Heyen - Alternatives in Education

Principal of the Springfield School District’s Lincoln Magnet School.

Marty Hickman - IHSA

Executive Director of the Illinois High School Association from 2002 to 2016.

Marvin Hightower - Tumultuous 2020

President of the Peoria branch of the NAACP discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

Ted Hild - IHPA legacy

Life-long employee of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

Janet Hill - Tumultuous 2020

Chief Operating Officer of the Rock Island County Health Department describes the impact of the pandemic

John Hinde - Korean War

An infantry veteran of both WW II and the Korean War

Dr. William Hinrichs - Public School Funding

State Board of Education perspective on school funding.

Susan Hinrichsen - IHSA

IHSA executive who oversaw several new sports introduced to high schools in Illinois.

Bonnie Ho - Tumultuous 2020

Principal of Pui Tak Christian School in Chicago’s Chinatown details her pandemic experiences

Kori Hockett - Alternatives in Education

Principal at Wheaton Academy, a private Christian based school.

Ross Hodel - Educational Reform Act 1985

Career educator discusses his involvement with the 1985 Educational Reform Act.

John Hoesley - Educational Reform Act 1985

Graduate of IL Math Science Academy discusses the school's early years.

Adrienne Hoffer - Public School Funding

Experiences as an instructional coach at Glenview District 34.

Linda Hoffman - School District Reorganization

A school consolidation opponent in rural Illinois shares her views.

Shawn Hoffmann - Alternatives in Education

Trinity Lutheran School principal discusses the parochial school educational model.

Dr. Matthew Holden - Modern Era

Life on a depression era Mississippi farm.

Dr. Matthew Holden - Cold War Era

Life on a depression era Mississippi farm and in the Cold War Army

Harold Holesinger - Korean War

F-84 pilot with Air Force during Korean War

Art Holevoet - Korean War

Army Supply Sergeant during Korean War

Norma Hollin - Delta Sigma Theta

Charter member of Springfield Decatur Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and retired engineer for Illinois Bell

Brenda Holmes - School District Reorganization

Serving in many levels of education throughout her career including an appointment to the Illinois State Board of Education.

Linda Holmes - School District Reorganization

State Senator who served on the Classroom First Commission.

Brian Holst - Modern Era

From auto mechanic to ag machinery, to restoration at Deere Collectors' Center.



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