Mark Reisetter shares about his experience serving in Vietnam and the therapeutic benefits of fly fishing. The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
Mark tells a cheerful tale about memories at an uncle's farm in Spicer from riding pigs to getting away with mischief. He also includes his first impressions on the town of New London.
Hear stories of what kept kids busy (and in trouble!) in New London and what is was like to be a teenager graduating in 1967 in politically turbulent times.
Martha was 105 years old at the time of this interview. She shared memories raising her family in Fremont, Minnesota and the history of the Fremont Store.
Mike Ebersold is a descendant of Chief Wabasha's family and Dakota-French trader, Augustine La Roque. He shares about the Dakota Half Breed Reservation and early history of the Wabasha area. His wife shares about her experiences working at summer camps held at Whitewater State Park. The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
Dr. Sajady is an Afghan American and shares her outdoor stories and perspectives as a pediatrician who encourages families to get outdoors and experience nature.
Peg Bauernfeind is an author who discovered the Whitewater Valley after living near the park for more than 30 years. She shares the history of the Whitewater Valley from her book titled, ""Return to Backyard Canyon."" The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
Phil Iverslie tells the story of a family cabin on Como Beach. As a child he spent nights listening to the music flowing across the water from Como Beach to it being the place of his honeymoon with his wife Florine.
This interview was conducted as part of a class project at Ridgewater College. It captures the descriptive story of Ralph Howell, born in Willmar in 1935. Howell grew up in the outdoors and has a talent for describing a landscape and the animals he saw that paints a picture. He also tells of a moving story of gifting a boat to a friend.
Another interview we are lucky to have from a class in 2005 at Ridgewater College, this interview collects the story of a family that stretches back to original 1860 homesteaders. Richard give us a unique glimpse that starts to connect the many names that are rooted in the immigrants of this land, from Lindahl to Swan Fremberg, a Civil War veteran.
Bob grew up camping in the summer at Interstate State Park in a small tent with his parents and 5 brothers, while his father was a door to door salesman! Hear this story of literally living in a state park and others in this fun filled interview.
Roger Strand spent summers on Green Lake, growing up for a love for west central Minnesota. Some may know Roger as Dr. Strand, but if you knew him as kid you may have known him as the keeper of the Snake Den! Listen and learn more about adventures of a little Roger.
Roger is the definition of a "local" - having lived in the area his entire life. Walsh is able to describe the landscape during the Dust Bowl, cracked soil and dried up water beds. The history of land use and natural resources in this interview is intriguing to anyone familiar with the landscape and lakes today.
Troy grew up biking to Sibley and skating on and swimming across local watering holes. And have you ever heard of the Loch Ness of Lake Andrew? Well, you will after this interview!
Interview with Wally Newstrom. Wally relates his experiences growing up in West Central Minnesota. Note: Wally, in addition to several others in the New London Oral History Project, use the term "gypsy." The term was historically used to identify people of Eastern Europe or Romanian decent. Today the term Roma is more widely accepted.
In this second interview of Wally Newstom with his granddaughter he talks about the changes his "Greatest Generation" has seen. His interview highlight below brings to light what diversity in the 1930s looked like in West Central Minnesota.
Husband and wife for 50 years the year of this interview, Wayne and Kathy Nordsted tell the story together of the past and present that will cause you to nod along, thinking it is your own aunt and uncle telling you the story.
