Oral history interview of Juanita Olivas, an unhoused neighbor living in Tacoma, conducted by dindria barrow on April 9, 2022. Juanita shares how she became homeless, how her faith has carried her through life, and why she does volunteer work. Juanita is 60 years young and plans on completing high school so that she can get a job as a medical insurance billing and coder. Juanita dreams of being “somebody that can help out with the community, always. I would love to have a really big apartment building that I could just take in all the homeless…just pour my heart out to ‘em, because people out there, you never know their story until you actually talk to them and I’ve met a lot of people that is so talented out there and so educated, but their story just breaks my heart.”

Oral history interview with Tacoma resident Bernice Morehead conducted by dindria barrow on August 16, 2022. In this interview, Bernice tells us that she was a born into a family of sharecroppers who descended from slaves forcibly brought to Mississippi. Bernice lived on a farm until she was 16 years of age who spoke the language of animals until she moved to Iowa and worked with her mother as a Domestic Engineer. Bernice describes how she enjoys a challenge such as running four marathons, learning to swim at 50 years of age, finishing a triathlon, driving from Iowa to Washington state with two children and a grandchild, then earning two college degrees. She has worked for the state, run her own business, been a substitute teacher, is a certified Life Coach and is now helping others at the Bethlehem Baptist Church Shelter. Bernice reminds us to dream of new challenges and to take pride in whatever you do.

Oral history interview with Tacoma resident Deborah Ranniger conducted by dindria barrow on September 20, 2022. In this interview, Deborah tells us how the landscape of Tacoma with its evergreen color and specifically the sight of Mount Rainier made her decide to live here at 10 years old. Deborah tells her family’s story of fleeing from Eastern and Western Europe to escape persecution. Deborah shares her journey from Seattle and Kent to Tacoma based on the burgeoning art scene. Deborah has recently published a memoir about her father and his influence on her life called, “Against the Current: A Conscientious Objector During World War II and the Daughter He Inspired.”

FPHS student Grace Scothorne interviews Judge Karl Williams about growing up and being educated in the Puget Sound region, as well as his legal expertise in issues around discrimination in employment and court proceedings.

Oral history interview of Jay Evan conducted by dindria barrow on January 21, 2023, as part of the Archiving North End Communities event located at the Wheelock library branch.

Oral history interview of Georgette and James Reuter conducted by dindria barrow on January 21, 2023, as part of the Archiving North End Communities event located at the Wheelock library branch.

Additionally, collection contains several photos with description written by Jim and Georgette Reuter.

When taken: Around 1945
Where taken: 1723 N. Oaks Street
Who is in these photographs: Jim Reuter as a young boy, with his mother, Margret Reuter and his paternal grandma "Kitty" Beulah Reuter and her husband.
What memories are contained in these photos: Although Jim's family lived in Lakewood, Jim spent many weekends with his grandma "Kitty" at her North Oaks home. He played in the Buckley Gulch with the neighbor kids and walked to the old Guild Theater to watch Saturday Serials (Westerns)

Oral history interview of Mary Sudar conducted by dindria barrow on January 21, 2023, as part of the Archiving North End Communities event located at the Wheelock library branch.

Oral history interview of Mike and Rosalie Gallegher conducted by dindria barrow on March 25, 2023, as part of the Archiving Northeast Communities event located at the Kobetich library branch.

Description provided by Mike and Rosalie Gallagher

When taken: 1910-2000

Where taken: Dash Point

Who is in these photographs?
John Gallagher
Bertha Gallagher
Their children: John Jr, Benny, Tom, Kathleen, Richard.

What memories are contained in these photos?
Early photos of family home, built in 1923, purchased by John and Bertha Gallagher in 1925. This was their only home - they lived here their entire married life 1925 - 1987.

Oral history interview of Dan Patnode conducted by dindria barrow on April 8th, 2023, as part of the Archiving Northeast Communities event located at the Mottet library branch.