Oral Interviews of 12 Janesville workers
A collection of oral interviews with General Motors employees, union members and others involved in Janesville’s manufacturing history is available on the website of Janesville’s Hedberg Public Library.
The interviews come from retirees of Janesville’s General Motors plant and other workers who were interviewed as part of the City of Janesville Bicentennial Oral History Project in 1976. The interviews include growing up in Janesville, social life, union organizing activities, family background and their work in Janesville during the first half of the 20th century.
The original interviewing project was conceived by then Rock County Historical Society director Richard Hartung, and sponsored by the Janesville Bicentennial Heritage Committee, chaired by George Hickey. Clem Imhoff interviewed the twelve men in 1976.
Supporting the effort was the Hedberg Public Library Foundation, UAW Local 95, Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, Commercial Bank of Janesville and Amy Dooley. Thanks also to Hedberg Public Library librarians and volunteers for their efforts.
Harris Reporting Company of Janesville was hired to transcribe the audiocassette tapes, completing their work in September, 2009. You can both read transcripts or hear the interviews by clicking here.