ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEWS
As someone who's passionate about community history, I found that the best way to learn about neighborhoods was to have a conversation with experienced citizens. Included in this section of the website are oral history interviews with three long-time community activists who have been involved in their neighborhood associations from the 1970s and into the present.
These interviews follow the best practices recommended by the Oral History Association (OHA). For the sake of space and privacy, some of these interviews have been trimmed. However, the entire recordings and transcripts are available at the Boise State University Special Collections and Archives.
"A recorded oral history is more than just a quote on a page in a book. It is a meaningful story expressed by the person who owns that story.”
Doug boyd, Director of Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History at the University of Kentucky Libraries
Mark Baltes
Current President of North End Neighborhood Association
Baltes has lived in Boise since 1959. Though he's originally from Minnesota, he has always considered Boise his home. After marrying his high school sweetheart, Baltes and his family bounced between Boise's neighborhoods before permanently settling in the North End. He is the current president of the North End Neighborhood Association (NENA) and is particularly passionate about historic preservation, community collaboration, and environmental stewardship.
Among many notable activities, Baltes played a prominent role in establishing the North End historic district and historic overlay between 2002-2004. Baltes and his wife, Julie, are also the founders of Landmark Impressions - a local enamel signage and graphics company.