In this interview for the Lafayette Library and Learning Center project, Bob Fisher describes in detail the pivotal role he played from 2005-on in the planning, funding, and building of the city’s new library, which quickly became its center of activity. He also played the central role in conceiving and creating the unique Glenn Seaborg […]
Oral History: Alice Barnham — May 30th, 2007
Alice Barnham was interviewed by Brenda Hepler on May 30th, 2007. Alice came to Lafayette in 1974 after living for a brief period in Berkeley. She grew up in South Orange, NJ and was a very active library patron from an early age. Alice became active in Lafayette community affairs first through volunteering with the […]
Oral History: Ruth Dyer — August 1st, 2009
Ruth Dyer was interviewed by Mary McCosker. She grew up in Porterville, where her family grew almonds, and trained to be a teacher at UC Berkeley. She taught in Salinas and Antioch before becoming a history teacher at Acalanes High School in 1951. She taught at Acalanes for 30 years. Ruth was familiar with the […]
Oral History: Chris and Dean Coons — February 19th, 2008
The Coons were interviewed by Brenda Heppler on February 19th, 2008. They each grew up in Iowa, then moved to Lafayette in 1968 when Dean took a job with Clorox in Oakland. Both became very active in community affairs–he was a member of the Lafayette Community Foundation and she worked professionally in the field of […]
Oral History: Ann Appert — May 15th, 2009
Ann grew up in San Rafael. She attended Cornell and worked on Wall Street for a couple of years before she and her husband returned to the west coast and settled in Lafayette. Ann became involved as a volunteer in the schools, and then, through the Lafayette Community Foundation, became part of a small group […]
Oral History: Larry Blodgett — July 18th, 2008
Larry was interviewed on July 18th, 2008. He had begun a career in the architectural field when, in 1991, he chose instead to become involved in running the family business. He has stayed there ever since, and has also served on the City’s Design Review Commission and with the Chamber of Commerce, Historical Society, and […]
Oral History: Mary Ann Hoisington — June 19th 2008
Mary Ann Hoisington was interviewed by Mary McCosker on June 19th, 2008 as part of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center project. She grew up in southern California and moved to Lafayette in 1957 when her husband Bill began attending law school in San Francisco. She has been active in community affairs since that time, […]
Oral History: Don Tatzin — August 5th, 2009
Don Tatzin settled in Lafayette at the age of 27, when a job with a consulting firm brought him to the Bay Area. After serving on two city commissions (Parks and Recreation and Planning), he was elected to the City Council in 1985 and has served there ever since.
Oral History: Nancy Flood — July 2nd, 2008
Nancy Flood’s family first settled in Lafayette during the 1850s. Each generation of her family contributed to the development of Lafayette in many ways. Nancy has lived here all her life. She taught in Lafayette schools for 41 years. She is active in the Lafayette Improvement Association and Lafayette Town Hall. She is also a […]
Oral History: Anne Grodin — May 12th, 2009
Anne Grodin was Mayor of Lafayette from 1993 to 1994 and Citizen of the Year in 1999. She discusses all of the complications and work involved in the development of the Lafayette Library, which opened in the Fall of 2009.
