Walnut Creek History – On Video
Walnut Creek Historical Society Oral History Project ~ Conducted by April Bell
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 ~
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 World War II
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: Remembering 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
