Oral history interviews have long captured essential and engaging historical information. They are a unique primary source, documenting first-hand accounts of history as told by the individuals who lived it. California’s own illustrious and colorful past is well documented through oral history interviews. On this page, interviews of Californians with different backgrounds and experiences will not just recount the state’s rich history, but will provide special insight into California’s great diversity.

Through this growing collection of select interviews, we hope you will better understand not just California, but your own communities and fellow Californians. Interviews featured will largely be provided by California-based oral history programs and projects, reflecting the state’s exemplary work in the field of oral history.

Recent Interviews

Portrait of Jonathan Jiang, standing in front of red railing. He is wearing a red shirt and blue jeans. Jet equipment can be seen in the background.
Courtesy of the Lanterman House

Jonathan Jiang

Jonathan Jiang, research scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and former board member of the Foothill Chinese School, speaks with Virtual History intern Vivien Chen. He describes the La Cañada area in 1999 when he first came to work at JPL, particularly its Chinese community and cultural diversity as a whole. Jiang played an […]

Landscape with creek in foreground
Digital image courtesy of the Getty's Open Content Program

Wallace Stegner

These interviews cover: Influences on Stegner’s environmental consciousness; involvement in the Sierra Club, 1950s-1960s; special assistant to Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall, 1961; National Parks Advisory Board, 1960s; reflections on art and advocacy, on elitism in the wilderness movement, and on current writers with environmental themes. Appended 1960 Wilderness Letter.

Portrait of John Zierold. In a black and white photograph, an older white man is seen seated, wearing a suit coat, white shirt, and dark tie, looing at the camera.
Courtesy of The Bancroft Library Oral History Center

John Zierold

These interviews cover: the Planning and Conservation League, founding and lobbying activities, 1965-1970; Sierra Club internal management, Sacramento legislative office, volunteer-staff relations, 1970-1984; lobbying for major environmental legislation, 1965-1984; coastal protection, forest practices, California Environmental Quality Act, energy and water policy, limits on nuclear power, air quality, liquified natural gas terminal; Governors Ronald Reagan, Edmund […]

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