The San Diego Oral History Collection consists of several oral history projects documenting San Diego History that were supported by San Diego State University. These projects include Center for Regional History student projects; San Diego Museum of Art oral histories; “We Were Here: A Living History;” and KPBS-FM interviews, including the “Twelve Who Shaped San Diego.” The Collection is divided into two series: Administrative Files and Audio Recordings.

The Administrative Files series includes paperwork associated with each oral history project. Materials consist of permission forms, transcripts, summaries, and other administrative documents. The series is divided into four project subseries. The Center for Regional History Oral History Project sub-series consists of oral histories conducted by SDSU history students in the 1970s and 80s. The sub-series is further divided by topic including WWI, Depression era, Vietnam, Industry, Women in Politics, Native Americans, and Neighbhorhoods. Files within this subseries are arranged alphabetically by interviewee name. Materials include permission forms and interview transcripts. Several of the transcripts are in Vietnamese.

The San Diego Museum of Art Oral History Project (1979-1980) subseries includes interviews with thirty-six prominent San Diego artists, curators, collectors, and architects. This project was a collaboration between the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park and the Junior League of San Diego, with the SDSU Center for Regional History serving as a consultant. Interviews were conducted between 1979-1980. Only a portion of the interviews were transcribed. Files are arranged alphabetically but interviewee last name.

The “We Were There: San Diego Living History” Project (1978-1979) subseries includes interviews on local aviation, business, North Park, La Jolla Village, and downton. The interviews were produced by the Educational Growth Opportunities Program at San Diego State University in collaboration with the SDSU Foundation. It was funded by the Regional Education Training Program Consortium. One hundred twenty-nine individuals were interviewed. The final project included 112 tapes and 300 color transparencies, which were used to develop four video productions. Both KPBS and the Center for Regional History served as consultants. The subseries includes indices and waivers.

The KPBS-FM Project subseries includes outtakes from various KPBS-FM educational radio programs documenting San Diego history, including the 1978 series “The Twelve Who Shaped San Diego.” These programs discussed the legacies of prominent and influential San Diegans. “The Twelve Who Shaped San Diego” was produced by the San Diego History Radio Proejct with funds from an NEH grant. Files are arranged numerically by outtake number. Many outtakes are missing.

The Audio Recordings series is divided into four subseries named after the project creator. Subseries include: Center for Regional History Class Projects; Tijuana Centro de Investigaciones Historicas; San Diego Museum of Art Oral History Project; and Miscellaneous Tapes. This series consists of ⅛ inch audio cassette tapes. When possible, items include links to the digitized interviews. Please note that not all tapes have been transferred to a digital format. Tapes in all subseries are organized alphabetically by interviewee last name.