African Americans Affected by the East Bay Hills Fire Oral History Collection, 1993-1995

Summary

Creators:

African American Museum & Library at Oakland and Atkinson, Nicole C.

Abstract:

The African Americans Affected by the East Bay Hills Fire Oral History Collection was an oral history project undertaken by the African American Museum & Library at Oakland. The African Americans Affected by the East Bay Hills Fire Oral History Collection consists of 10 interviews conducted from 1993 to 1995 with African Americans who were living in the East Bay during the Oakland hills firestorm of October 1991.

Extent:

.75 linear feet (1 box)

Language:

Languages represented in the collection: English

Preferred citation:

African Americans Affected by the East Bay Hills Fire oral history collection, MS184, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The African Americans Affected by the East Bay Hills Fire Oral History Collection consists of 10 interviews conducted from 1993 to 1995 with African Americans who were living in the East Bay during the Oakland hills firestorm of October 1991. In addition to interviews with subjects whose homes were lost during the Oakland hills firestorm, the interview with P. Lamont Ewell documents the experience of the Fire Chief for the City of Oakland. These interviews are preserved in their original cassette tape format. Also available are a list of the questions used for the interviews and a complete collection of transcriptions.

The oral history interviews are divided into series by subject and organzied chronologically by the date in which they were conducted.

Biographical / historical:

The African Americans Affected by the East Bay Hills Fire Oral History Collection was an oral history project undertaken by the African American Museum & Library at Oakland. Interviews were conducted by Nicole C. Atkinson.

Acquisition information:

Oral history interviews were conducted by the African American Museum Library at Oakland and retained in the African American Museum Library at Oakland archives.

Processing information:

Processed by Carl Schmitz.

Arrangement:

Series I. Oral history cassette tapes Series II. Transcripts and interview questions

Rules or conventions:

Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:

African Americans--California--History.
Fires--California--Berkeley.
Fires--California--Oakland.
Wildfires--California--Berkeley.
Wildfires--California--Oakland.
Disasters--California--History.

Names:

Johnson, Chuck, 1938-.

Places:

Berkeley (Calif.)--History.
Oakland (Calif.)--History.

Restrictions:

No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.

Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish must be obtained from the African American Museum & Library at Oakland.

Preferred citation:

African Americans Affected by the East Bay Hills Fire oral history collection, MS184, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Location of this collection:

Oakland Public Library, African American Museum and Library at Oakland

659 14th Street

Oakland, CA 94612, US

Contact:

(510) 637-0198

aamlo@oaklandlibrary.org

Website

Summary

Extent:

10 cassette tapes

Background

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically by interviewee.

Summary

Extent:

Run Time: 46 (min): 58 (s) Side A and Run Time: 13 (min): 29 (s) Side B

Background

Scope and content:

At the time of the fire, Henry and Leilani Cotten lived on Tunnel Road, Henry worked for an insurance company, and Leilani was co-owner of a pre-school. When the fire started, Leilani was home while Henry was away from home and heard of the fire on television.

Physical description:

Cassette tape

Summary

Extent:

Run Time: 14 (min): 05 (s) Side A and Run Time: 47 (min): 17 (s) Side B

Background

Scope and content:

At the time of the fire, James and Barbara Coleman lived at the Parkwoods Apartments on Caldecott Lane, James worked for the San Mateo County Juvenile Hall, and Barbara was a mortgage banker. When the fire started, James and Barbara were both at home.

Physical description:

Cassette tape

Summary

Extent:

Run Time: 37 (min): 52 (s) Side A

Background

Scope and content:

At the time of the fire, Ida and Percy Williams lived at the Parkwoods Apartments on Caldecott Lane, and both were retired. When the fire started, they were both in Reno on a trip.

Physical description:

Cassette tape

Summary

Extent:

Run Time: 55 (min): 12 (s) Side A and Run Time: 07 (min): 48 (s) Side B

Background

Scope and content:

At the time of the fire, Anna Bush-Hardin lived on Tunnel Road and owned a beauty salon. When the fire started, she was at home.

Physical description:

Cassette tape

Summary

Extent:

Run Time: 44 (min): 09 (s) Side A

Background

Scope and content:

At the time of the fire, Chuck Johnson lived at the Parkwoods Apartments on Caldecott Lane and owned Soulbeat, a local cable television station. When the fire started, he was driving away from his home, but quickly returned.

Physical description:

Cassette tape

Summary

Extent:

Run Time: 94 (min): 53 (s) Side A and Run Time: 46 (min): 43 (s) Side B

Background

Scope and content:

At the time of the fire, George, Bonnie, and Angel Abrams lived on Romany Road, George was a banker, Bonnie was an X-ray technician, and Angel was in grade school. When the fire started, Bonnie and Angel were driving home from church and George was at work.

Physical description:

Cassette tape

Summary

Extent:

Run Time: 45 (min): 34 (s) Side A and Run Time: 06 (min): 51 (s) Side B

Background

Scope and content:

At the time of the fire, Deanna Taylor lived at the Parkwoods Apartments on Caldecott Lane and worked for PG&E. When the fire started, she was at home.

Physical description:

Cassette tape

Summary

Extent:

Run Time: 47 (min): 26 (s) Side A and Run Time: 27 (min): 56 (s) Side B

Background

Scope and content:

At the time of the fire, Warren Widener lived on Ocean View and worked for a foundation. When the fire started, he was at church with his family.

Physical description:

Cassette tape

Summary

Extent:

Run Time: 58 (min): 43 (s) Side A and Run Time: 11 (min): 15 (s) Side B

Background

Scope and content:

At the time of the fire, Don Hopkins lived on Amito Drive and worked as District Administrator for Congressman Ronald Dellums. When the fire started, he was at home.

Physical description:

Cassette tape

Summary

Extent:

Run Time: 36 (min): 43 (s) Side A

Background

Scope and content:

At the time of the fire, P. Lamont Ewell was Fire Chief for the City of Oakland.

Physical description:

Cassette tape

Summary

Extent:

Three folders

Background

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically.