Finding Aid to the Golden Gate Bridge Workers Oral History Collection

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Finding Aid to the Golden Gate Bridge Workers Oral History Collection

larc.oh.bridgeworkers

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Table of contents

Martin Adams oral history 1987 May 21

Physical Description: 2 Cassettes

Scope and Contents

Sound recording of interview with laborer and pile driver Martin Adams conducted by Harvey Schwartz. In his interview Adams discusses his early life, his work on the Bay and Golden Gate Bridges, and the net collapse of February 1937. At the 22, Adams moved to California to work on the Bay Bridge. At the completion of that job, he worked on the Golden Gate Bridge until it was near completion in 1937. Adams was an active member of Laborers' Locals 261 and 301, and later Pile Drivers Local 34.

Fred Brusati oral history 1987 April 28

Physical Description: 2 Cassettes

Scope and Contents

Sound recording of interview with electrician Fred Brusati conducted by Harvey Schwartz. In this interview Brusati discusses his early life, his professional work as an electrician in Marin County, his union membership, and his work on the Golden Gate Bridge from 1934 to 1937. He also provides several detailed descrtiptions of bridge work, including wire dewaxing, cable spinning, wire running, and safety equipment use.

Fred A. Divita oral history 1987 May 15

Physical Description: 3 Cassettes

Scope and Contents

Sound recording of interview with laborer Fred Devita conducted by Harvey Schwartz. After graduating with a degree in engineering in 1934, Fred Devita began work on the Golden Gate Bridge as a laborer. He worked on the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges between 1934 and 1937 in a variety of capacities, including paint scraper, sandblaster, materials man, timekeeper, field engineer, and rigger. In this interview Divita describes his early life and education, his experiences on the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, his experiences working in construction on Midway Island during WW II, and his subsequent career as an engineer and Vice President of the J.H. Pomeroy Company.

Sister Mary Zita Feliciano and Pat De Weese oral history 1987 August 6

Physical Description: 1 Cassettes

Scope and Contents

Sound recording of the interview with nurses Sister Mary Zita Feliciano and Sister Pat De Weese. In this interview the sisters discuss their backgrounds, their memories of the Bridge workers under their care, and the natture of health care in the 1930s.

Evan C. "Slim" Lambert oral history 1987 May 25

Physical Description: 1 Cassettes

Scope and Contents

Sound recording of the interview with laborer Slim Lambert conducted by Harvey Schwartz. Slim Lambert moved to San Francisco where he worked as a laborer on both the Bay and Golden Gate Bridges. In this interview Lambert provides a firsthand account of the February 1937 net accident in which ten Golden Gate Bridge workers were killed. He survived the fall, and attempted to save Fred Dummatzen.

Alvina McIntyre and Mary Louise Vestnys oral history 1987 April 4

Physical Description: 1 Cassettes

Scope and Contents

Sound recording of Alvina McIntyre and Mary Louise Vestnys, wives of Golden Gate Bridge workers Glenn McIntyre and [ ] Vestnys, conducted by Harvey Schwartz. Alvina and Mary Lousie briefly discuss their feelings about their husbands' work on the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Bridge's opening day ceremonies.

John Noren oral history 1987 March 26

Physical Description: 2 Cassettes

Scope and Contents

Sound recording of the interview with elevator worker John Noren conducted by Harvey Schwartz. John Noren worked for a short time as an apprentice elevator mechanic on the Golden Gate Bridge. In this interview he discusses life during the 1930s depression, his experiences in baseball, working conditions on the Golden Gate Bridge, and his thoughts on management/labor relationships.

John V. Urban oral history 1987 April 15

Physical Description: 3 Cassettes

Scope and Contents

Sound recording of the interview with ironworker John V. Urban conducted by Harvey Schwartz. Urban joined the Ironworkers as an apprentice in 1935. He worked on the Golden Gate Bridge from 1935 to 1937. In this interview he discusses his early life, his work on the Golden Gate Bridge, and his subsequent professional life. He includes information about fellow workers, and his feelings about the bridge.

Bert and Walter Vestnys oral history 1987 April 4-April 6

Physical Description: 2 Cassettes

Scope and Contents

Sound recording of teamster Bert Vestnys and ironworker Walter Vestnys (father and son). Bert Vestnys and Walter Vestnys discuss their experiences working on the Golden Gate Bridge.

Glenn McIntyre oral history 1987 April 4-April 6

Physical Description: 3 Cassettes

Scope and Contents

Sound recording of ironworker Glenn McIntyre conducted by Harvey Schwartz. After the completion of the Oakland Bay Bridge, Glenn McIntyre joined the Ironworkers Union as a journeyman and began work with a raising gang on the Golden Gate Bridge. In this interview Mcintyre relates information concerning his early life and his experiences working on the Oakland Bay and Golden Gate Bridges. He describes jobs hiring practices, accidents, weather, wages, fellow workers, and his feelings about his work.

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