Hilltop Library Planning Committee includes: front row, Bil Moss and Billie Johnstone; back row, Ellen Smith, Al Nurse and Linda Oliver. This group oral history interview was taken by dindria barrow on behalf of the Community Archives Center of the Tacoma Public Library at the Red Elm Cafe on October 13, 2022.

Back of photo: A Tacoma police officer snapped the hand cuffs on a suspect who was arrested during a raid on a South Tacoma home by Tacoma Police and Pierce County Sheriff S.W.A.T. teams Wednesday morning. The home was found to contain a marijuana growing room. Three people were arrested. (bruce kellman 3-23)

In this photo, Robert A. Jones was handcuffed. He and two others were charged with unlawful possession and intent to sell a controlled substance. Also charged with growing a controlled substance. Bruce Kellman photo

Back of Photo:
A crowd of neighbors listens intently to speakers trying to stop the Tacoma Rescue Mission from moving to a site across from Puget Sound Hospital.
Bill Hunter/Photo

Back of photo:
Eastside youth Center
Jul 9 1968
Constructive Cutting Work 

“Low enrollments and inefficient structures may force Tacoma to close some schools, rebuild or remodel others.” Lister elementary was expensive to upkeep and faced several problems. It was 300 students short of its total capacity of 650. The school was initially built as a community center, and gymnasium and additions were later added. The different elements fit together awkwardly. Photo by staff member Warren Anderson.

Back of photo:
School, Lister Elementary
Feb 14 1982

Photo description from Vanna Sing:

When taken: 1980s and 2000s
Where taken: Eastside, Salishan
What memory is contained in these photos? Vanna Sing's childhood in Salishan and Eastside; Growing up in Salishan, spiritual healing. 43 year old survivor from the country of Cambodia. Roots are from SE Asia, Cambodia, Thai, and Laos. Our family escaped the Khmer Rouge in 1978 In July 1979, we entered United States. Our sponsors were from Mineral Wells, Texas. Trying to adapt to the American culture was a struggle. Through the word of mouth, Tacoma, Washington was the place to be. 15 families migrated to Tacoma, WA. We first arrived in Hilltop, Tacoma, around St. Joseph hospital area. We spent a year here. Tacoma Housing Authority supported refugees by providing rental assistance. Department of Social and Healthy Services gave us TANF, food stamp, and medical.

Photo description from Vanna Sing:

When taken: 1980s and 2000s
Where taken: Eastside, Salishan
What memory is contained in these photos? Vanna Sing's childhood in Salishan and Eastside; Growing up in Salishan, spiritual healing. 43 year old survivor from the country of Cambodia. Roots are from SE Asia, Cambodia, Thai, and Laos. Our family escaped the Khmer Rouge in 1978 In July 1979, we entered United States. Our sponsors were from Mineral Wells, Texas. Trying to adapt to the American culture was a struggle. Through the word of mouth, Tacoma, Washington was the place to be. 15 families migrated to Tacoma, WA. We first arrived in Hilltop, Tacoma, around St. Joseph hospital area. We spent a year here. Tacoma Housing Authority supported refugees by providing rental assistance. Department of Social and Healthy Services gave us TANF, food stamp, and medical.

Bryan Johnson from Lister Elementary School introduces a film he made in 2003 with his 5th grade students.

The oral history prompts were available in English, Spanish, Tagalog, Marshallese, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, Somali, and Russian

Caroline Edmiston is a professional chef turned tax attorney who is creative-minded and always looking for the next exciting thing to learn. Caroline shares this piece from the Food Bridges Us writing workshop. It is about sneaking cookies and is titled "Schnecken". Schnecken is a German cookie that is shaped like a snail, sometimes compared to a small cinnamon roll.