Mesa Room Oral History

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Oral History

The Mesa Historical Society Guild has a joint oral history project with the Mesa Room. The Guild provides the volunteers and the Mesa Room provides the equipment and keeps the administrative files. There are several goals:

To collect memories from people from different backgrounds
To fill in the gaps of what is already known
To collect information about movements, such as civil rights
To collect information about major businesses, such as Motorola
To start with pre-1920, then 1920-1946

Those interested in joining may call Anna Uremovich, Archivist, at 480-644-3730 or email mesa.room.info@cityofmesa.org for additional information.

Mesa Historical Society Oral History Questions

In what country or countries did your family originate?
When did they come to the U.S.?
Where did they live in the U.S. before moving to Mesa?
Why did they come to Mesa?
When did they come to Mesa?
What were your parents' occupations?
How many siblings did you have?
When and where were you born?
What are your earliest memories of Mesa or this area (rural vs. town)?
Tell us about your day-to-day life (giving the time period).
Tell us about your house.
Was church an important part of your life?
Do you remember going to buildings? Tell us about them.
Were there parks or playgrounds? Where were they?
Where did you attend school?
Do you remember your teachers?
What was your major interest in school?
Can you remember school activities or achievements?
What schools did you attend?
Did you belong to any youth organizations such as Scouts or Camp Fire?
Did you join any civic, fraternal or social organizations?
Tell us about the years after school and before marriage.
If you speak another language, what language?
Have you been married? To whom?
How did you become acquainted with your spouse?
Where were your Mesa homes? Tell us about them.
Did you have children? Please give their names and years of birth.
What kinds of recreation/entertainment did your family enjoy?
Did you attend ball games or play a sport?
Tell us about your career.
Did the canals affect you personally?
What do you remember about Mesa's population growth and expanding city limits?
Was your family involved in agriculture?
How was your family affected by the depression (WPA, CCC)?
Did you see how others were affected?
How did the weather effect you?
Tell us about the telephone system.
What do you remember about WWII? Did you have any connection to Falcon Field or Williams AFB?
Were you aware of Main Street being the military zone boundary?
What businesses or industries were prominent in Mesa?
How did baseball help the economy?
Were there limitations on minorities (education, careers, housing, health)?
Were you affected by this?
How did people get around (horses, public transportation, etc.)?
How were the arts expressed (painting, music, drama, dance)?
What do you remember about politics?
Who were some leading politicians?
Did you interact with Native Americans?
What do you like the most about Mesa, past or present? The least?
What would you like to see in the future of the community?
What has been your greatest source of satisfaction?

Please tell us how we may further help you.
Send us your questions, comments, suggestions and requests about Mesa Room services and programs to: mesa.room.info@cityofmesa.org

You also may contact us by telephone at: 480-644-3730
Or in writing to:
Mesa Room
City of Mesa Library
64 E. 1st Street
Mesa AZ 85201