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Providence City Oral History Project, 2005-2008

Overview of the Collection

Title
Providence City Oral History Project
Dates
2005-2008 (inclusive)
Quantity
1 box, (.5 linear feet)
Collection Number
UUS_Folk Coll 53
Summary
The collection is comprised of oral histories of citizens of Providence City, Utah, including transcripts, photographs, fieldnotes, surveys and CD of images and transcription. Interviews conducted by Rachel Gianni (August 2005-October 2006) and Randy Williams and Lisa Duskin-Goede (2008).
Repository
Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives Division
Special Collections & Archives
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
Logan, UT
84322-3000
Telephone: 4357978248
Fax: 4357972880
scweb@usu.edu
Access Restrictions

No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.

Languages
English
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Historical Note

Providence is a small but growing community in Cache Valley, Utah. Settled by Mormon pioneers in 1859, Providence is known for its German and Swiss ancestry and strong sense of cultural awareness and celebration.

As the 2009 sesquicentennial of Providence approached, the City of Providence wanted to publish an updated version of its history book Providence and Her People. Robert Parson was chosen as the author for the book. The goal of this project was to provide an updated and personal look at the history of Providence and its citizens by collecting oral histories from various people in the community. In the fall of 2005, the Providence Historic Preservation Committee chose sixteen individuals to be interviewed who would reflect various aspects of Providence life and history. Rachel Gianni was hired to conduct the interviews and Lisa Duskin-Goede to edit and assist with technical details. The project was directed for Providence City by Brenda Nelson.

The participants included farmers, car dealership owners, mayors, homemakers, professors, teachers and shop owners. Most of the participants were born and raised in Providence; however, those who came to Providence later in life offered an alternative yet valuable view of Providence’s history. Each interview was tailored to address the firsthand knowledge of historical events within the participant’s experience of life in Providence. Highlights of these interviews focus on: business in town, memories of school days, community celebrations such as Sauerkraut Days and Pioneer Days, and historic buildings such as the Pavilion and the Old Rock Church.

In 2008, the Providence Historic Preservation Committee and Robert Parson requested additional interviews. To this end, the committee chose sixteen individuals to help tell the story of more recent additions to the City's history. These individuals included newcomers, a major land developer, a water conservationist, local politician and modern immigrants from Iran and El Salvador. These interviews were conducted by Lisa Duskin-Goede and Randy Williams.

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Content Description

The collection consists of 32 oral histories regarding Providence City, Utah (collected in two bound volumes containing 16 interview transcripts each), and four CDs containing electronic copies of the transcripts and photographs, fieldnotes, logs and release forms.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the Providence City Oral History Project must be obtained from the Curator of the Fife Folklore Archives and/or the Special Collections Department Head.

Preferred Citation

The Providence City Oral History Project, 2005-2008. (FOLK COLL 53). Utah State University. Special Collections and Archives Department.

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Administrative Information

Location of Originals

The Original cassette tapes, photographs, transcripts, etc. are housed at Providence City Offices: 15 S Main Street, Providence, UT

Processing Note

Processed in March of 2013

Acquisition Information

Providence City donated the materials to Utah State University Libraries Special Collections and Archives.

Related Materials

Providence and her people: volume 3 by Robert Parson, USU Special Collections 979.27 P948-H 2009

Providence Oral Histories

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Country life--Utah--Providence.
  • Mormons--Utah--Providence--Interviews.

Geographical Names

  • Providence (Utah)|xHistory.

Form or Genre Terms

  • Oral history.

Finding aid/Register created by Randy Williams, March 2013
2013

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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