Skip to main content

Vida Sister Prince Mississippi River Oral History Project Notes

 Collection
Identifier: A3094

Scope and Contents

The collection is comprised of notes and research complied by Sister Prince for an independent project on the Mississippi River dating from 1964 to 1998. The folders are arranged alphabetically by type of document.

Prince’s diary, from September 3rd to October 27th, includes six pages of notes about people to whom she spoke, some of the topics discussed, and references to other people to whom she might speak. The folder of general notes includes historical references to printed sources about the history of the Mississippi River and Prince’s “to-do” list for the project. The notes on interviewees include four business cards, quotes from discussions, and questions and topics to explore in the interviews. The research folder contains photocopies from books concerning the history of the river and photocopies of 1998 newspapers clippings.

The Union Station compilation of memories was found with the river project notes, however, it is unclear if Prince used these in the river project. The source of the memories is also unclear and the location of the letters from which they are taken is unknown, but it is likely that its compilation relates to the remodeling and reopening of Union Station in 1985. The reminiscences span from approximately 1915 to the 1960s. People wrote of their experiences at Union Station, some lived nearby, some worked there, and others stopped as they traveled.

Dates

  • 1964-1998
  • Majority of material found within 1998

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, quote from, or reproduce material in this collection, please contact the Archives Reference Desk at archives@mohistory.org. Copyright restrictions may apply. The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright.

Biographical Sketch

Vida “Sister” Prince was born in 1933 to Vida Tucker (1906-1981) and Myron S. Goldman (1905-1936). She graduated from John Burroughs High School in St. Louis and earned an Associate of Arts degree from Centenary Junior College (New Jersey). Prince augmented her education at Fontbonne College, University of Missouri-St. Louis, and Webster University. She married Ronald S. Prince (1931-2016) and the couple had three children.

Prince began her career with oral history in 1979 when she answered an advertisement for volunteers at the Holocaust Museum & Learning Center. She interviewed over 100 people in St. Louis touched by the holocaust. In 1986, Sister Prince began working with the Missouri Historical Society in several capacities. She taught programs in how to conduct oral history interviews, did research for exhibits, and conducted oral history projects relating to several museum exhibitions. Prince also pursued independent projects.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet ( (5 folders))

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

The folders are arranged alphabetically by type of document.

Physical and Technical Requirements

There are no physical or technical restrictions.

Donor Information

The collection was donated by Vida G. Prince in 2017 (accession number 2017-016).

Related Materials

For audio recordings of the interviews, consult the Moving Images and Sound Department.

Processing Information

Processed with funding from The Stuart Foundation, Inc. by Kristina Perez, 2020.

Title
Inventory of Vida Sister Prince Mississippi River Oral History Project Notes
Status
Completed
Author
EAD by Kristina Perez using ArchivesSpace
Date
2020
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Missouri Historical Society Library and Research Center Repository

Contact:
225 S. Skinker Blvd.
St. Louis MO 63105 United States
314-746-4510