Lafayette Historical Society

Lafayette, California

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Oral History: Sally Bellenger — January 22nd, 2008

December 6, 2024 Leave a Comment

Summary: Sally Bellenger was interviewed by Nancy Sherman on January 22, 2008, during the time that construction of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center was under way. She arrived in Lafayette in 1971, choosing the community for its good schools and its values. In this interview Sally describes how a group of dedicated and hard […]

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: 2009 Library Project, Oral History

Oral History: Ann Meredith — November 5th, 2008

November 26, 2024 Leave a Comment

Summary: Ann was interviewed by Brenda Hepler on November 5, 2008. As the City of Lafayette’s Community Development Director, she was closely involved with the Library Project from 2001 onward. She played a major role in the selection and acquisition of the building site, the selection of the architect, creation of the consortium, development of […]

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: 2009 Library Project, Oral History

Oral History: Diane Kisner — May 14th, 2008

November 21, 2024 Leave a Comment

Diane Kisner Title Card

Summary: Diane Kisner was interviewed by Pat Riegg on May 14, 2008. As the co-founder and head of the Merriewood Children’s Center, which offered a variety of pre-school and after school programs, Diane was an important figure in the field of early childhood education in Lafayette. From the start she was an enthusiastic supporter of […]

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: 2009 Library Project, Oral History

Oral History: Anna Koch — May 27th, 2008

October 5, 2024 Leave a Comment

Summary: Anna Koch was interviewed by Brenda Hepler on May 27, 2008. She was born and raised in San Francisco, and became interested in reading and in going to the library at a very young age. After high school she enrolled in a library technology program and worked in a library part-time instead of pursuing […]

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: 2009 Library Project, Oral History

Oral History: Tony Coe — October 7th, 2009

September 30, 2021 Leave a Comment

Tony Coe was interviewed by Bob Riegg on October 7, 2009. As engineering services manager for the City of Lafayette, Tony was responsible for preparing the construction bid documents and assembling a team to represent the City during the construction process. He describes being proud of the library that this community is creating, and notes […]

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: 2009 Library Project, Oral History

Oral History: Maria Hjelm — May 29th, 2009

June 29, 2020 Leave a Comment

Maria Hjelm was interviewed by Brenda Heppler on May 29th, 2009. She joined the Friends of the Lafayette Library Board soon after arriving in the city in 2003. She took over management of the very popular literary speakers program, known as Sweet Thursdays. Maria also managed the library’s relationships with its Glenn Seaborg Learning Consortium […]

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: 2009 Library Project, Oral History

Oral History: Hilma Jones — February 3rd, 2009

June 25, 2020 Leave a Comment

Hilma Jones was interviewed on February 3rd, 2009, by Brenda Heppler. Soon after Hilma and her husband moved to Lafayette in 1982 she began actively volunteering in the local schools. She remembers that the members of her family rarely visited the small library that served Lafayette at that time. In the late 1990’s when a […]

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: 2009 Library Project, Oral History

Oral History: Donna Lenhardt — November 25th, 2008

June 21, 2020 Leave a Comment

Donna Lenhardt was interviewed by Mary McCosker on November 25th, 2008. She had worked as a librarian at the “old” library for 5 years at that point. She was excited about the potential for the new library to attract many new users in the community, and to connect them with each other, because of its […]

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: 2009 Library Project, Oral History

Oral History: Jerry Overaa — July 23rd, 2009

June 19, 2020 Leave a Comment

Jerry Overaa was interviewed on July 23rd, 2009, by Brenda Heppler. Jerry was CEO of C. Overaa & Co., the construction company that built the new library. At the time of this interview he had also been a Lafayette resident for over 40 years. Jerry’s company had built libraries in Orinda, Danville, and other cities […]

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: 2009 Library Project, Oral History

Oral History: Roger Falcone — July 12th, 2008

May 5, 2020 Leave a Comment

Roger Falcone was interviewed by Brenda Hepler on July 12th, 2008. Roger was head of the Lafayette School District board. He was also head of the physics department at UC Berkeley and was actively involved with the Lawrence Hall of Science. Among the things Dr. Falcone brought to the group of talented and dedicated volunteers […]

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: 2009 Library Project, Oral History

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Location and Hours

History Room
open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Lafayette Library
& Learning Center,
enter on Golden Gate Way
925-385-2297


Mailing Address: PO Box 133 Lafayette, CA 94549

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Your Memories Tell The Story of Lafayette

Memories of living and working in Lafayette are precious. Let us help you share those memories with others who value the town’s history. Call the Lafayette Historical Society’s Oral History line to set up a brief oral history phone interview with one of our friendly volunteers. Together, we can preserve the vibrant narrative of our town for generations to come.


Call 925-297-5397

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Recent Posts

  • Oral History: Maeve Pessis — July 22, 2009
  • Lafayette Library Display – Honoring the Bicentennial Farewell Tour of the Marquis de Lafayette
  • Oral History: Gwen Lennox — August 8th, 2009
  • Oral History: Lois Laine — June 12th, 2009
  • Out Of The Archives: The 1942 Acalanes High School Yearbook

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