Oral History
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Oral History: Justice James E. C. Perry
July 18, 2025Bradlee-McIntyre House MuseumLongwood Florida Justice James E. C. Perry was interviewed by Jason Byrne, president of the Longwood Historic Society. He has led a remarkable life, marked by significant achievements, including marching with Martin Luther King Jr., battling the State of Georgia to secure equal access to the Georgia Bar, establishing a law practice in Seminole County, and ultimately becoming the first black Supreme Court Justice in Florida. He and his wife, Adrienne (former Longwood mayor), have lived in Longwood for around fifty years now in the same home. He retired from the bench in 2016.
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Oral History: Dr. Adrienne Perry
July 18, 2025Bradlee-McIntyre House MuseumLongwood Florida Dr. Adrienne Mills Perry was interviewed by Jason Byrne, president of the Longwood Historic Society. She shared with us her life story, from her childhood through her career as an educator and politician, and her subsequent activities in retirement. Dr. Perry was raised in Harlem, suffered racism in Georgia, and moved to Seminole County in 1975. She became the second black elected official in Seminole County in 1989. Read More
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Oral History: Lethesa Reliford
Interview of Lethesa Reliford by Helene Zebrauskas, as part of the Keeper of Stories project at the Seminole County Library. Transcript Helene ZebrauskasThis oral history interview recording is being made as part of The Keeper of Stories collection for the Seminole County Public Library. These interviews capture the stories and experiences of residents in the area, and students and educators from the Rosenwald School located in East Altamonte, Florida. Today is Wednesday, April 24th, 2024. My name is Helene Zebrauskas, and I’m interviewing Ms. Lethesa Reliford at the Central Branch Library in Casselberry, FL. Ms. Reliford, do I have permission…
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Rodger Smithson, Oral History
Mr. Rodger SmithsonInterviewed by Amy Marie Cantley Amy Marie Cantley: The oral interview recording is being made as part of a collection for the Seminole County Public Library. These interviews capture the stories and experiences of Seminole County residents who have resided in the county since 1960 or before. Today is Monday, January 8, 2024. My name is Amy Marie Cantley. I am interviewing Mr. Rodger Smithson at his residence in Oviedo, FL. Mr. Smithson, do I have permission to record this interview and make it publicly accessible on the library website?Mr. Rodger Smithson: Yes, you do.Cantley: Do I have…
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Connie McMillon Thomas, Oral History
Transcript This interview was conducted on January 12, 2024, at the Casselberry branch of the Seminole County Public Library. The interviewer is Amy Marie Cantley. It is part of an oral history series and a specific effort to collect stories of those who attended Rosenwald School in East Altamonte. Amy Marie Cantley This oral history interview recording is being made as part of a collection for the Seminole County Public Library. These interviews capture the stories and experiences of residents in the area, and students and educators from the Rosenwald School located in east Altamonte, Florida. Today is Friday, January…
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Geraldine Wright, Oral History
2024 Interview at the Casselberry Library with Geraldine Wright Mrs. Geraldine Wright shares about her childhood in Sanford, education, and early career in Brooklyn,New York, and Return to Sanford with her husband. Mrs. Wright discusses her time as an educator inSeminole County Schools and Principal of Goldsboro Elementary School. She is now active in several civic organizations. Photos
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Ingrid Hyman Bryant, Oral History
Oral history conducted on January 4, 2024 at the Casselberry branch fo the Seminole County Public Library by Amy Marie Cantley with longtime Oviedo resident Ingrid Hyman Bryant. Transcript Amy Marie Cantley: This oral history interview recording is being made as part of a collection for the Seminole County Public Library. These interviews capture the stories and experiences of Seminole County residents who have resided in the county since 1960 or before. Today is Thursday, January 4th, 2024. My name is Amy Marie Cantley, and I am interviewing Mrs. Ingrid Bryant at the Central Ranch Library in Casselberry, FL. Mrs.…
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Cora Snead – Oral History
By Amy Marie Cantley, Recorded November 30th, 2023 @ Casselberry Public Library Transcript AMY MARIE CANTLEY: This oral history interview recording is being made as part of a collection for the Seminole County Public Library. These interviews capture the stories and experiences of residents in the area and students and educators from the Rosenwald School located in East Altamonte, Florida. Today is Thursday, November 30th, 2023. My name is Amy Marie Cantley, and I am interviewing Mrs. Cora Snead at the Central Branch Library in Casselberry, Florida. Mrs. Snead, do I have permission to record this interview and make it…
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Janet Gilliand – Oral History
Janet spoke at the Historic Society member meeting on February 18, 2024. Her family has been in Longwood since the 1940s, in its fifth generation now. They purchased a property along the north shore of Lake Ruth, which now is essentially a family compound with multiple houses where several generations live. She recalls her early years in Longwood and seeing the landscape evolve around their once-country oasis.
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Areva Barnes, Oral History
Longtime Longwood resident. Recorded on January 11, 2012.