Walnut Creek History – On Video

Walnut Creek Historical Society Oral History Project

– Conducted by April Bell 2012-2014 –

scroll down to see the video collection

Due to a generous bequeathment, and also serendipitously gearing up for the city’s much anticipated Centennial Celebration, The Walnut Creek Historical Society commissioned Tree of Life Legacies to assist in a video Oral History Project, preserving Walnut Creek History stories of our town’s days-gone-by.

I worked closely with The Society’s board appointed committee; Audrey Veregge, Sheila Rogstad, and the Madam Producer, Judie Hockel.

Between 2012 and 2014, we interviewed thirty individuals. The interviewees ranged from civic leaders, community volunteers, business owners, to ordinary folks who remember what life was like growing up in Walnut Creek when everybody knew everyone. And also knew what they were up to!

Each interview was diligently prepared for and then filmed for a minimum of 45-minutes. The audio was professionally transcribed and laid out in three books for The Society’s archive. The books are available for purchase at Blurb.com. There’s a linked-button for each book at the bottom of this page.

Each of the interviewees received a personalized DVD of their interview to share with friends and family.

It has been such an honor and a pleasure to do this project for my home town. If you would like to check out the collected media from this Video Walnut Creek History project, scroll down or please visit The Walnut Creek Historical Society’s History Room at The Shadeland’s Ranch Museum on Ygnacio Valley Road in Walnut Creek. Check for times when docents are on duty to get all of your burning questions answered.

Enjoy fifteen of the 30 videos below, which I edited as part of the “100-year anniversary and commemoration” celebrating Walnut Creek’s city-hood in 2016.

photo by: Judie Hockel

Preparing to interview life-long Walnut Creek resident, Dr. Bud Rotermund, at The Shadeland’s Ranch Museum.

~ The Collection ~

thirty town history stories ~ captured 2012 – 2014

Origin Story: The Walnut Festival

The Walnut Festival has been a Walnut Creek institution since the 1930s.

Gary Bogue: Lindsay Wildlife Museum

Gary Bogue remembers the early days of the Lindsay Wildlife Museum.

Mike Rinehart: Rinehart’s Jewelry

Mike Rinehart shares about this nearly 60-year Walnut Creek Tradition. Started by his grandfather, Pete Rinehart, a prominent civic leader in his day.

JoAnn Hanna: Remembering WWII

JoAnn Hanna, owner of JoAnn’s dress shop, recalls sending the troops off during WWII, as they rode down Main Street.

Gwen Regalia: Pioneer Peg Kovar

Peg Kovar, a modern pioneer for women’s leadership in Walnut Creek politics, became the city’s first female mayor in 1975. She was passionate about preserving the city’s open space, serving as the first president of Save Mount Diablo.

Kay Mauzy-Wightman: The Flood

Mauzy Plumbing was Walnut Creek’s longest-operating family-owned business when it closed after 98 years in 2011. The family business moved to Walnut Creek from Oakland in 1913. Four generations of the family ran the business.

Adrian Mendes: The Walnut Kernel

Adrian Mendes shares how the Walnut Kernel was spared from a trip to the dump.

Dr. Bud Rotermund: Picking Pears

Dr. Maynard “Bud” Rotermnund remembers picking pears for the Bancroft’s back when he was a teen.

Sally Ingraham: An Idyllic Town

Sally Bronson Ingraham shares what it was like growing up in Walnut Creek – once upon a time.

Alfred Cooper: Days-Gone-By

Alfred Cooper, descendant of the Walnut Creek pioneer Silveira family, recollects days-gone-by for the Walnut Creek Historical Society’s Oral History Project – 2012/2013.

Lois Semmelmayer: Gloria Scilacci

Lois Semmelmayer pays tribute to her dear friend and fellow Shady Lady.

Primo Facchini: We need your support

Primo Facchini request your participation in The Walnut Creek Historical Society.

Bev Clemson: Shadelands Ranch Museum

Bev Clemson shares about the uniqueness of the Shadelands Ranch Museum.

Nancy Meagher: Childhood Shenanigans

Nancy Meagher remembers frozen food lockers in downtown Walnut Creek.

Phyllis Bolton: War Bonds

Phyllis Bolton recalls collecting war bonds during her childhood.

Walnut Creek History ~ 2014 Compilation

Walnut Creek Historical Society Oral History Project – 2014 Compilation

WCHS Oral History Project – 2012

In 2012, the first phase of the Walnut Creek Historical Society’s oral history project was launched. Ten long time residents of Walnut Creek were interviewed by April Bell/Tree of Life Legacies, (commissioned by the Walnut Creek Historical Society) to share and document their recollections of days-gone-by.

The Walnut Creek Historical Society is deeply grateful to the individuals who agreed to be interviewed for this project.

Founded in 1967 by members of the Walnut Creek Women’s Club, The Walnut Creek Historical Society engages with the community and city government to carry out its mission to preserve and interpret local history. The generous contribution of those who selflessly volunteer their time to The Society through research and documentation ensures that Walnut Creek History and her origins will be enjoyed and cherished for generations to come.

Order This Book

WCHS Oral History Project – 2013

In 2013, phase two of the oral history project was executed. Eight long time residents of Walnut Creek were interviewed by April Bell/Tree of Life Legacies, (commissioned by the Walnut Creek Historical Society) to share and document their recollections of days-gone-by.

The Walnut Creek Historical Society is deeply grateful to the individuals who agreed to be interviewed for this project.

Founded in 1967 by members of the Walnut Creek Women’s Club, The Walnut Creek Historical Society engages with the community and city government to carry out its mission to preserve and interpret local history. The generous contribution of those who selflessly volunteer their time to The Society through research and documentation ensures that Walnut Creek History and her origins will be enjoyed and cherished for generations to come.

Order This Book

WCHS Oral History Project – 2014

The third round of community interviews commissioned by the Walnut Creek Historical Society around Walnut Creek’s Centennial. Twelve longtime residents from various walks of life share about what Walnut Creek was like in days-gone-by.

The Walnut Creek Historical Society is deeply grateful to the individuals who agreed to be interviewed for this project.

Founded in 1967 by members of the Walnut Creek Women’s Club, The Walnut Creek Historical Society engages with the community and city government to carry out its mission to preserve and interpret local history. The generous contribution of those who selflessly volunteer their time to The Society through research and documentation ensures that Walnut Creek History and her origins will be enjoyed and cherished for generations to come.

Order This Book