Oral Histories
A sampling of our oral histories are available here in our digital library. All transcribed histories are searchable in the library’s catalog. Search using a keyword and refining the search by Item Types: "Special Collections" or by location: "Oral History Collection". Alternatively, search for call number: "ORALHIST" to see a list of cataloged oral histories.
Not all recordings have been digitized or transcribed.
Alder and Brooks Oral History Collection (ABC), 1991-2016
Interviews conducted during research for the Centennial County History Series book A History of Washington County: From Isolation to Destination by Douglas D. Alder and Karl F. Brooks. Alder later contributed more local history interviews to this collection.
Extent: 68
Citizens for Dixie’s Future Oral History Collection (CFDF), 2013-2014
A small collection of personal history interviews by Milton Hokanson. Interviews include information on the history of Washington County and the Arizona Strip, as well as ranching and agriculture within Utah.
Extent: 5
Dawn Martindale Research on the Virgin River Oral History Collection (DMRVR), 2000
Interviews of locals who lived along the Virgin River. Interviews include mention of history of Washington County (Utah), Hurricane (Utah), and Duncan's Retreat (Utah).
Extent: 2
Delmar D. Gott Oral History Collection (DDG), 1958-1987
Delmar D. Gott, former director of the library, contacted local residents and community leaders and personally recorded interviews, guest speakers, and lectures, and collected recordings from other locals to be archived.
Extent: 49
Dixie Pioneers and Storytellers Oral History Collection (DPST), 1979-2017
This growing collection consists of recordings of local history classes conducted by ICL (Institute for Continued Learning) through the auspices of Dixie State University [Utah Tech University] for retirees in the local community. Participants presented on a wide range of topics.
Extent: 182
Dixie State College of Utah Oral History Collection (DSCUA), 1975-1995
Recordings of events taking place at Dixie State College of Utah, or interviews pertaining to the school, including mention of the drama department.
Extent: 11
Douglas D. Alder Oral History Collection (ADCH), 1999-2017
Oral history interviews conducted by Douglas D. Alder of local residents. Interviewees spoke of Dixie College, other Utah universities and colleges, higher education within Utah, and other reminiscences.
Extent: 31
Estamos Aqui / We Are Here: Latino Voices in St. George, Utah (EALV), 2023
Interviews with local Latino/Hispanic community members on their experiences coming to and living in St. George. This program was funded by an Oral History Grant from Utah Humanities and the Utah Historical Society.
Extent: 15
Fundamentalist Mormon Oral History Project (FMOHP), 2019
Interviews with current and former members of the Fundamentalist Latter-day Saints community in Hildale, formerly Short Creek, Utah. Subject matter includes personal narratives of polygamy and life in the region.
Extent: 9
Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument Oral History Collection (GCPNM), 1970-2017
Through a partnership with the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, National Park Service/Bureau of Land Management Office, St. George, Utah, interviews about ranching on the Arizona Strip were conducted by GCPNM staff. A small, personal collection of interviews was also donated by rancher Wally Mathis.
Extent: 61
Helen (Bundy) Russell Arizona Strip Oral History Collection (HBRC), 1972-1993
Helen (Bundy) Russell and relatives recorded a number of interviews, LDS church services, Bundy family reunions and genealogy meetings, and audio journals.
Extent: 253
Kelton Hafen Oral History Collection (KHC), 1979-2013
Oral history interviews with area residents conducted by Kelton Hafen. Mentions of Washington County (Utah), Gunlock (Utah), Clark County (Nevada), and Dixie State College of Utah.
Extent: 46
Local History Oral History Collection (LHC), 2021-
Interviews focused on local history from various donors. Mentions of St. George Area Chamber of Commerce, fundraising, and history of Saint George area.
Extent: 1
Marilyn White Veteran Oral Histories (MWV), 2003-2004
Student interviews with local veterans.
Extent: 24
Motion Picture Production in Washington County Oral History Collection (MPPWC), 2016-2017
Stephen B. Armstrong’s interviews with people who have been involved in movie productions filmed in southern Utah.
Extent: 9
The Pandemic Years: COVID-19 Oral History Collection (PYC), 2020-2021
Student interviews recording individuals’ experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic, including experiences of economic and political events.
Extent: 38
Pioneer Voices of Zion Canyon Oral History Collection (PVZC), 2004
A small collection of interviews with locals who grew up in and around, or worked in Zion National Park. Areas mentioned include Zion National Park (Utah), Rockville (Utah), Washington County (Utah), and Springdale (Utah).
Extent: 21
Portraits of Loss, Stories of Hope Oral History Collection (PLSH), 2005-2006
Stories were collected by local community members to record personal memories of the 2005 Santa Clara, Virgin River flood and compiled for the Portraits of Loss, Stories of Hope book as a fundraiser for victims of the floods.
Extent: 134
Prince Family Oral History Collection (PFOH), 1971-1980
Oral history interviews with Vilate (Cottam) and Antone Benjamin Prince. Mentions of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints religion and history of the Washington County (Utah) area.
Extent: 5
Randall J. Bunn Oral History Collection (RJBC), 2017-2019
Interviews with veterans now living in the southern Utah area. Interviewees spoke of personal narratives surrounding World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, and Gulf War.
Extent: 19
Sons of Utah Pioneers Oral History Collection (SUP), 2012
Interviews conducted by representatives of the Sons of Utah Pioneers. Includes mention of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and history of Washington County, Utah.
Extent: 2
University Archives Oral History Collection (UAOH), 2019
Interviews conducted by Utah Tech Special Collections & Archives personnel. Includes mention of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Juanita Leavitt Pulsipher, and history of Washington County, Utah.
Extent: 1
Utah Dixie Veterans Stories Oral History Collection (UDVS), 2018
Interviews with veterans now living in the southern Utah area. Contains personal narratives surrounding World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, and Gulf War.
Extent: 16
Veda Hale Research on Maurine Whipple Collection (VHRMW), 1990-1992
Interviews conducted by Veda Hale while researching Maurine Whipple.
Extent: 10
Voices of Remembrance Foundation Oral History Collection (VOR), 1968-1980
The Voices of Remembrance Foundation interviews focused on recording mainly the spiritual memories of Washington County residents who were sixty years of age and above. The original reel-to-reel tapes are housed in the Special Collections Library, Sherratt Library, Southern Utah University.
Extent: 438
Washington County Historical Society Oral History Collection (WCHS), 2018-
Oral histories donated by the Washington County Historical Society.
Extent: 3
Washington County History Lecture Series (WCHLS), 1983
Recordings of presentations given at the Washington County Historical Lecture Series. Presentation topics include ranching in Utah, the history of Washington County and Silver Reef, transportation in Utah, and folklore related to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Utah.
Extent: 5
Washington City (Utah) Historical Society Oral History Collection (WUHSC), 1999-2005
Oral histories donated by the Washington City Historical Society. Topics include the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Utah, history of Washington County, and other reminiscences.
Extent: 9