The Great Depression

Item set

Title
The Great Depression
Description
During the 1930s, the state of Illinois suffered the effects of the Great Depression, just like the rest of the country. Students at the University of Illinois felt the effects of the economic downturn in a number of ways.

This collection of 45 oral histories was compiled from a series of interviews conducted by the Student Life and Culture Archival Program in 2000, 2001, and 2007 in an effort to document student life at the University of Illinois from the years 1928 to 1938.

The last living interviewee died in December 2021. This makes these recordings all the more important, as they preserve the experiences, memories, thoughts, and voices of those who are no longer here to share them.
project start date
2000

Items

Advanced search

  • Beth Olwin Dawson

    Beth Olwin Dawson (1911-2002) graduated in 1933. She was a member of the Pi Phi sorority, and she studied English with minors in History and French.  Beth came from a more affluent family and therefore did not feel hurt by the Great Depression.

  • Anita Crites Crawford

    Anita Margaret Crites Crawford (1913-2005) was a member of the Class of 1935. She earned a teacher's certificate and later entered law school. She said that she was not hurt by the Depression because a placement service helped her find a teaching job.

  • Grace Green Clifford

    Grace Green Clifford (1909-2006) graduated in 1931, and she studied English and Philosophy. While in college, Grace joined a sorority and participated in events at the YWCA and the Women’s League. Grace said that her family sometimes had financial difficulties during the Depression.

  • Katharin Fishbaugh Carr

    Katharin Fishbaugh Carr (1908-2002) was a member of the Class of 1931. She joined the Alpha Phi sorority and studied Home Economics. Kay said she noticed the effects of the Great Depression, but did not experience hardships directly.

  • Erma Scott Bridgewater

    Erma Scott Bridgewater (1913-2013) was a member of the Class of 1937. She joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Erma said she experienced discrimination as an African-American student. Also, Erma said that she did not have a lot of financial difficulty during the Depression.

  • Merle Boren

    Merle Boren (1912-2004) grew up in Champaign in the boarding house that his family operated and lived in. He studied Business, graduated in 1937, and pursued graduate studies at the University. Merle said that he did not especially feel the pains of the Great Depression.

  • Royal Bartlett

    Royal Bartlett (1909-2005) began his studies at the University of Illinois in 1927. He studied Accounting and Banking. Royal said that he did not notice the effect of the Great Depression until he tried to find a job after graduation. Royal has fond memories of his friendships and campus life at the University.

  • Mary Anne Barnfield

    Mary Anne Reifsteck Barnfield (1912-2006) studied Business and graduated in 1934.  She lived on her family's farm during college and found rides to campus.  Mary Anne did not notice the Great Depression because her family always had enough to eat.

  • Louise Procter Allen

    Louise Procter Allen (1914-2005) was a member of the Class of 1936. Louise studied Art and Education; and she joined the Delta Delta Delta sorority. Although her family was prosperous, Louise remembered scrimping and saving during the Depression.

  • Franklin Allen

    Franklin Allen (1914-2005) was a member of the Class of 1937. He joined the Farmhouse fraternity and was the Senior Editor of the <em>Illinois Agriculturalist</em>. Franklin felt the strain of the Great Depression during college, and he took time off from college and held jobs to cover expenses. However, he thought he had good luck in life.