Oral History

Our "Voices of St. Helena" program

Our goal was to collect historical information about the people, events, and ways of living that shaped our area and the settlements that predate the town. By recording the memories of narrators with firsthand knowledge, we sought to bring our history to life for future generations of researchers, curious descendents, and others. We have collected these memories high academic standards, preserved and cared for them, and now they are accessible to you. We will use them for research, to inform and bring exhibits to life, and to help to bridge the interests and understanding of successive generations of St. Helenans.

“Voices” was developed beginning in 2005 by Historical Society intern Pat Alexander during her studies as a history major at Napa Valley College and Sonoma State University. Pat developed the program under the guidance of a Historical Society Board Internship Oversight Committee and in association with professionals in the field. In the first three years, volunteer interviewers were trained and conducted oral history interviews.

Larry Bettinelli

Marsha and Larry Bettinelli

St. Helena Historical Society interview with Larry Bettinelli on March 23, 2014

Fred Abruzzini

Fred Abruzzini

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with Fred Abruzzini on July 7, 1987.

Petite Abruzzini

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with Petite Abruzzini on July 9, 2008.

Antonia (Toni) Allegra

Antonia Allegra

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with Antonia Allegra on July 14, 2015.

Vincent & Claire Amendola

Clair and Vince Amendola

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with Vincent and Claire Amendola on November 11, 2013.

Marsha Bettinelli

The Bettinellis

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interviews with Marsha Bettinelli on March 23, 2014.

Guli Buchanan

Art by Guli Buchanan

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with Guli Buchanan on August 21, 1995.

Ernie Butala & Petite Abruzzini

Ernie Butala

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with Ernie Butala and Petite Abruzzini on June 2, 2017.

Kenneth Grant Cairns

Kenneth Grant Cairnes

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with Kenneth Grant Cairns in February and March of 2007.

Helen Paris Christianson

Helen Christianson

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with Helen Paris Christianson on November 14, 2013.

Marilyn & Nick Coy

Marilyn and Nick Coy

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with Marilyn and Nick Coy on March 23, 2014.

Marie Del Bondio

Marie Del Bondio

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with Marie Del Bondio on March 5, 2006.

Oscar Delgado

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with Oscar Delgado on May 21, year unknown.

Tala DeWynter

Tala DeWynter

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with Tala DeWynter on July 9, 2007.

Mary Edano & Rose Taylor

Mary Edano and Rose Taylor

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with Mary Edano and Rose Taylor on July 15, 2014.

Phoebe Ellsworth

Phoebe Ellsworth

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with Phoebe Ellsworth on August 9, 2016.

Greta Ericson

Greta Erikson

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with Greta Ericson, date unknown.

Henry Escareno

Henry Escareno

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with Henry Escareno on May 21, 2016.

Rudy & Therese Frey

Rudy and Therese Frey

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with Rudy and Therese Frey on February 12, 2011.

David & Nancy Garden

David and Nancy

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with David and Nancy Garden. Date unknown.

Joe Heitz

Joe Heitz

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with Joe Heitz on July 6, 1983.

Guy Kay

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with Guy Kay on November 21, year unknown.

Hope Lugo

Hope

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with Hope Lugo on April 24, 2014.

Chuck O’Rear

Chuck O'Rear

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with Chuck O’Rear on October 17, 2013.

Osvaldo and Ferruccia Particelli

Osvaldo Particelli

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with Osvaldo and Ferruccia Particelli with Ray Particelli as translator on February 10, 2015.

Ed Paulson

Ed Paulson

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with Ed Paulson on November 23, 1979.

Rafael Rodriguez

Rafael Rodriguez

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with Rafael Rodriguez on July 10, 2009.

Joanne & John Sales

Joanne and John Sales

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with Joanne and John Sales on October 31, 2013.

Larry & Annette Smith

Larry and Annette Smith

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with Larry and Annette Smith on July 13, 2015.

Ken Taplin

Ken Taplin

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with Ken Taplin in 2002.

John Thoreen

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with John Thoreen on September 12, 2016.

Sloan Upton

Sloan Upton

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with Sloan Upton on September 26, 2016.

Frank “Laurie” Wood

Laurie Wood

St. Helena Historical Society oral history interview with Laurie Wood on January 26, 2005.