The online oral history archive

The Online Oral History Archive Index of Oral History Transcriptions

Name	Date	Keywords, People, Places	Summary
Abdul-Wali, Aida	2015	Immigration, Ethiopia	Aida Abdul-Wali was born in Ethiopia. She has lived in Alexandria since 1980. She talks about leaving Ethiopia to the sound of machine-gun fire and escaping to Yemen and Egypt before finally reuniting with her mother in the United States. She discusses the differences in culture, schools, and food of the many places she has lived. Years later, she revisited all those places with her daughter.
Ablondi, Unalane	2007	Education, George Washington High School	Unalane Ablondi was in Washington, D.C. and moved to Alexandria, Va., from Edgewater, Md., when she was fourteen years old, during World War II. She describes what Alexandria was like during the 1940s, when there were corner grocery stores and few restaurants. She talks about her classmates and activities at George Washington High School and her interest in dramatics. She also talks about her mother, Una Franklin Carter, a journalist with the Northern Virginia Sun and the Old Town Crier. Mrs. Ablondi moved back to Alexandria with her husband and children in the 1970s and was one of the first docents for the restored Carlyle House. She describes how Alexandria changed between the 1940s and the 1970s and how it continues to change now.
Abney, Joyce Paige	2008	African American Community, Freedmen Cemetery Descendant, Old Town	Joyce Paige Anderson Abney is a fifth-generation Alexandrian, descended from Armistead Webster. Mrs. Abney discusses growing up in segregated Alexandria, including schools and swimming pools.
Abraham, Mollie	2011	Community Organizations and Projects, Living Legend of Alexandria (2011), Del Ray	Mollie Bass Abraham, born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, came to Alexandria as a young woman and worked with her husband, Meyer. She raised three children here and was active in the schools, her synagogue, the Alexandria Breast Cancer Walk, and the Civic Association. As a Living Legend of Alexandria for 2011, she talks about why she became active in community affairs and how Alexandria has changed over the years.
Abramson, Ethel	1981	Old Town	Ethel Abramson grew up at 711 King Street in Old Town Alexandria. Her family lived above the business her father ran from 1927 to 1947. This interview took place at her husband's office at 312 S. Washington Street. In this interview, Mrs. Abramson describes what Old Town was like when she was younger, namely who lived where, what businesses existed there, and so on.
Abramson, Ethel	1999	Old Town	Ethel Abramson was born in 1915 in Baltimore, She has lived in Alexandria for the past 80 years. She discusses social life during that time including the Depression. Her father was a successful businessman and her husband the longest practicing dentist in Alexandria. Throughout her interview, she compares social and everyday life in Alexandria today to that of the 1930s and 1940s. Her memories are obviously very happy ones and her descriptions are quite vivid and entertaining.
Abramson, Sydney	1981	Old Town	Sidney Abramson was born in 1911. He lived above his father's store at the corner of King and Washington streets. During the interview, Mr. Abramson describes the changes in businesses on King Street starting from the 1920s and 1930s over time, and includes references to Wiel's Butcher Shop, Askins Men's General Store, and Hoffman's Tailor Shop, to name a few. Memories of flivver trucks and pianists at silent movies are also recalled.
Adams, Anthony	2025	Seminary, Mudtown	Siblings, Anthony Adams and Brenda Adams reflect on their experiences growing up in the Seminary neighborhood of Alexandria. Their deep familial roots in the area, along with their rich family history, highlight the importance of understanding one’s past and the impact it has on the present day.
Adams, Brenda	2025	Seminary, Mudtown	Siblings, Anthony Adams and Brenda Adams reflect on their experiences growing up in the Seminary neighborhood of Alexandria. Their deep familial roots in the area, along with their rich family history, highlight the importance of understanding one’s past and the impact it has on the present day.
Adem, Martin	2005	Merchants and Entrepreneurs	Marty Adem is a semi-retired self-made businessman who came to Alexandria when he was six years old. He was born in 1933. As a child and then a rising businessman, he was aware of the socio-economic changes, which have taken place in Alexandria in the past seventy years. During this interview, he is asked to compare life in Alexandria as he was building his business to everyday life as it exists in Alexandria today.
Aguirre, Canek	2023	City Council, Hispanic community	Canek Aguirre reflects on his journey to becoming the first Latino elected to the Alexandria City Council, from a childhood in Los Angeles to a distinguished career dedicated to public service.
Alford, John	2018	World War II	John Leroy Alford was born October 27, 1925 in Rotan, Texas. The interview covers his upbringing in Texas and California, his 20-year career in the Navy, including his ship’s downing of the last kamikaze plane in World War II, his devotion to duty, and his subsequent career as a Federal civilian worker and as a Federal contractor working in support of the Camp David Peace Accords. He also discusses what he would say to young people today, his thoughts on which generation is the greatest, and the importance of voting.
Aminrazavi, Mehdi	2015	Immigration, Iran	Mehdi Aminrazavi, Philosophy of Religion Professor at Mary Washington University, was born on September 22nd, 1957 in Mashhad, Iran. In the interview he recalls his youth in Iran up until his decision to pursue a college education in Seattle, Washington. He reflects on his first impression of Washington and how he adjusted to American culture. While Mehdi was studying at the University of Washington, the Iranian Revolution began. He explains his student activism and describes the effects the conflicts had on him and his family. About half-way through the interview Mehdi’s wife, Marylynn explains the manner Mehdi and other Iranian students were regarded in Seattle, Washington during the Iranian Hostage Crisis. In 1985, Mehdi and Marylynn moved to Alexandria, Virginia to start their family. He recalls his various jobs, raising his children multi-culturally, and participating in the developing Iranian community.
Anand, Vineeta	2015	Immigration, India, Del Ray	Vineeta Anand was born in India and has lived in Alexandria for twenty-seven years. During this interview she accounts growing up as the daughter of a military officer and her frequent moves within India. She discusses coming to the United States to attend graduate school for journalism, her subsequent job search, and her life in Philadelphia and then Alexandria. She explains how she has maintained her connection to India through Indian cooking, culture, and connection with family members, as well as staying involved in the neighborhood community of Del Ray in Alexandria.
Barilotti, Alyssa	2020	Chronicling the Pandemic, City of Alexandria employee, Alexandria Archaeology Museum	Alyssa Barilotti is a volunteer with Alexandria Archaeology, a part of the Office of Historic Alexandria. She describes how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed her work situations, how she stays connected to friends and family online and how the pandemic has changed her apartment building and her neighborhood. Alyssa also discussed the connection between the rise in social media use and participation in social justice protests since the killing of George Floyd in May 2020. Included in her interview are her thoughts on the difficulty in anticipating what will happen next because of the pandemic and how large cultural changes have influenced the millennial generation.
Barringer, Hood	2007	Historic Preservation, Gerald Ford, Clover/College Park	Hood Barringer was born in 1917 in Washington, D.C. and moved to Alexandria, Virginia later in life. Hood was an active member in many Alexandria committees, and participated in events through the Lyceum. She is also a former neighbor to the late President Gerald Ford. Hood Barringer gave an hour of her time on her 90th birthday to share these stories.
Barry June and Jim	2010	Education, George Washington High School	June (Parsons) Barry and James Barry were born in Alexandria in the 1930s. During the interview, they recall attending George Washington High School, discuss the social activities they enjoyed both as part of and outside of school and comment on the segregation at the time and how it affected them.
Barton, Barbara	2023	Childhood; College Experience, T.H.I.S, Cultural expectations of Women, Volunteering, Tourism	Barbara Burton reflects on her experiences working in the tourism industry for Alexandria in the latter half of the 20th century.
Barton, Hugh	2023	World War II, Tourism, Alexandria Journal, Alexandria in the 1990s	Hugh Barton is world traveler who lived and worked briefly in Alexandria in the 1950s and returned in 1994, and has lived there since. He describes various incidents in his life, including a seven day flight across the Pacific, living on a farm in Maryland during World War II, working as a journalist and a travel marketer in Hong Kong and Guam, and finally returning to Alexandria and becoming involved in community activities.
Basegmez, Serdar	2015	Immigration, Turkey	Serdar Basegmez was born in Ankara, Turkey, but raised in Istanbul. He came to the United States to study. Although he went to high school and college in Ankara, he always knew that he wanted to live in the United States to learn English, travel, attend concerts, etc. He enrolled in Montgomery College in Maryland and took part-time jobs to make ends meet. He moved to Houston, Texas, to set up a business. It was there he began the process of naturalization, which he completed in 1987. After being in Houston a while he decided to move back to the Washington, D.C., area. Since returning to the D.C. area, Mr. Basegmez has owned a variety of small businesses. He currently owns a catering company and two dry cleaners. Serdar says he has a positive outlook on life in general, and that’s made his immigration experience a positive one.
Battle, Patsy	2024	ACPS	This was a Story Circle interview with four interviewees. They discussed their varied backgrounds and focused on their jobs in the Alexandria Public School Schools. Ms. Harris was a special education coordinator; Ms. Overton worked in the cafeteria, Ms. Battle was a manager, and Mr. Horton started as a custodian and became a maintenance engineer. All three discuss their experiences in the Alexandria Public Schools. Ms. Harris attended school in Alexandria through high school and Mr. Horton attended high school in Alexandria.
Beach, Howard	2005	Potomac Yard	Howard Truslow Beach was born in 1920 and has lived in Alexandria for 86 years. Topics discussed include Mr Beach's childhood, his positions at Potomac Yard from 1941 to 1982, training, benefits and opportunities at the Yard, a work-day, a description of the Yard and its history, social life and minorities at Potomac Yard, railway terminology, and changes to the Yard over time.
Beach, Howard	2006	Potomac Yard	Howard Truslow Beach provided a second interview in 2006. Mr. Beach was born in 1920 and has lived in Alexandria for 86 years. The interview continues the discussion of Mr. Beach's memories of working at Potomac Yard Railroad. Topics discussed include social life and minorities at the Yard, railway terminology, and changes to the Yard over time.
Beane, Candace	2021	TWIG	Candace Beane moved to Alexandria in 1978 and has been a member of TWIG for twenty-one years. She talks about how moving to Alexandria and being a TWIG member has helped her form meaningful relationships with other members. During the interview, she recalls the many TWIG projects she was involved in and shares her plans for TWIG moving forward as the organization’s president.
Belk, Judy	2024	African American Community, Seminary Hill and The Fort, Integration; Racism; Philanthropy; Fighting Injustice; Segregation; African American History	Judy Belk is a fifth generation native of Alexandria. She is a descendant of the Casey and Adams families who were early residents of The Fort and Seminary neighborhoods. She reflects on her childhood years between the late l950’s- early70’s) including living without access to indoor plumbing; being one of the first African American students to integrate Minnie Howard School; and her family’s fight to hold on to its land under threat of an eminent domain take-over by the city. She shares how these early experiences have shaped her career as a prominent philanthropic leader, writer, and social justice advocate. In recognition of her writing and civic leadership, in 2013, Belk was inducted in the Alexandria African American Hall of Fame.
Belk, Maydell Casey	1994	African American Community, Seminary Hill and The Fort	Maydell Casey Belk is around sixty years old at the time of this interview, and had lived on Fort Ward near Old Town Alexandria for fifteen years from 1952 until 1967 before moving to her current house. The objective of this interview is the development of the African-American neighborhood on Fort Ward, situated on a steep hill just outside Old Town. In it Mrs. Belk describes what it was to live there before there was indoor plumbing, running water, or air conditioning, and how life centered around the local church.
Bernheimer, Sigmund	2004, October	Old Town	Sigmund Bernheimer was born in Alexandria in 1914. "Sig," relays his family history and childhood memories. Memories include those of the family businesses on King Street, such as the Torpedo Inn. Sig remembers selling newspapers at the Torpedo Factory as a young boy and taking newspaper routes for the local papers, and also describes for us Alexandria's trolleys and taxis.
Bernheimer, Sigmund	2004, November	Old Town	Sigmund "Sig" Bernheimer grew up in Alexandria. He lived through the flu epidemic after World War I, remembers the streetcars that used to run through Alexandria to Washington, D.C., and served in the Pacific during World War II. Sig spent most of his life working in the appliance business; his wife worked in the printing and engraving business, where she printed stationery for the vice-president of the United States.
Bezu, Zion	2015	Immigration, Ethiopia. PTA, education	Zion Bezu was born and raised in the eastern part of Ethiopia and came to the United States to study at a university. In the summer of 2005, she visited a family who lived in Alexandria, and she decided to stay here. She also applied to change her status from a student visa to a request for asylum due to her family’s religious persecution. Since 2005, she’s earned two master’s degrees. She is the first African immigrant to become a PTA [Parent Teacher Association] President in the City of Alexandria. As a way to keep her children connected to Ethiopian culture, Zion started giving Amharic language lessons. Her parents’ emphasis on education has stayed with Zion her entire life, from her own education, to that of her children, and now for students in Alexandria’s public schools.
Bierce, C. Richard	2001	Historic Preservation	C. Richard Bierce was interviewed in 2001, as part of the development of a Lyceum exhibit commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Bicentennial. During this interview he shares his thoughts on Alexandria in the early [19]70s, just prior to the Bicentennial, in terms of the City's historical consciousness or attitude toward historical preservation.
Bierce, C. Richard	2006	Historic Preservation	C. Richard Bierce was asked to review his role in preservation projects in the City of Alexandria since his arrival in 1973—most notably the restoration of Gadsby's Tavern and the Carlyle House.
Blancas, Miguel	2021	Chronicling the Pandemic, City employee, Immigration, Mexico, Hispanic community	Miguel Blancas came to Northern Virginia after meeting his wife in a study abroad program in Spain. Mr. Blancas started working for the City of Alexandria in the Court Service Unit. In February 2020 during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Blancas began working for the Emergency Operations Center [EOC] where he developed a tracker for recording the continuance of operations plans for the City. He has continued to work for the EOC as a documentation leader within the planning section of EOC. Mr. Blancas keeps in touch with distant family members with digital video communications and relaxes by biking on the W&OD Railroad Trail. He is currently working on his Master’s Degree in Public Administration.
Bohlayer, Edwin	1982	Rosemont	Edwin Bohlayer, born in 1893 in what is now the Rosemont area of Alexandria, talks about the neighborhood he grew up in, which then included a large dairy farm. He describes the well behind the house on Summers Drive that yielded ice-cold water in summer. He also talks about the racecourse in Del Ray and about Luna Park in what is now Arlington. He remembers one of the stores on King Street in Alexandria that would give regular customers a turkey or a fifth of whiskey at Christmastime.
Boltwood, Harvey	2005	Chamber of Commerce	Harvey Boltwood, born and raised in Alexandria, has been an active Alexandria community member since the 1960s. Involved in the former Retail Merchant's Association at that time, he joined the Chamber of Commerce soon after the two organizations merged in 1968. He has been involved in community service work such as tutoring and volunteering for the Red Cross as well. He was chairman of the Chamber of Commerce in 1988. Mr. Boltwood currently works for Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust.
Bontz, Howard	2009	Business and Working Community	Howard Bontz was born in 1922 and moved to Virginia in 1969. In this second interview, he talks briefly about his family tree with lineage to a Bailey's Crossroads innkeeper. He details his work life in Chicago, his army experience, his training with tabulating machines (working for Remington Rand, for example), and his career as a data processing operator (with Computer Systems Command). He explains how this training and experience with computers brought him to Virginia.
Bontz, Howard and Dorothy	2008	Business and Working Community	Howard and Dorothy Bontz were interviewed together in 2008. Dorothy was born December 1918 in South Dakota and lived in Washington, D.C., in 1941-1942 and 1946-1948. She returned as a widow to Virginia in 1999. She describes her experiences with the War Department in Washington, D.C. at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack in December 1941, her later employment with the Strategic Air Command, and racial tensions in the late 1940s in Washington, D.C. She also recounts how she met Mr. Bontz in August 2005 and their subsequent marriage. Howard Bontz was born in Chicago, Illinois, in June 1922.
Bradby, Julia	1992	African American Community, Seminary Hill and The Fort	Julia Maria Adams Bradby was born on June 8, 1920, and has lived in Alexandria for 72 years. She traces the lineage and locations of the Bradby family and also discusses other community members and the neighborhood she grew up in, including the Episcopal Theological Seminary, several churches, Fort Ward, and Donaldson's store.
Brasfield, Julia	2021	TWIG	Julia Hampton Brasfield grew up in Savannah, Georgia, and completed her education at the University of Georgia and at the Duke University School of