Floods--Kentucky--Louisville

Mrs. Abramson talks about growing up in Louisville. She discusses where they lived when she was growing up and those who lived around them, including neighbors as well as her extended family members. Mrs. Abramson talks about the friends that she had growing up, the schools that she went to, and her memories of those times. Mrs. Abramson discusses some of the historical events that she's lived through as well, including Pearl Harbor. She also talks about her father's work at the bank and her memories of the stock market crash that came from her father's work friends. Mrs. Abramson also discusses her memories of the flood, when her and her family were living with her family in the Highlands.

Discusses work and management of the Piggly Wiggly Store and 1937 flood. Also trying to get home to St. Matthews and terrible traffic, blocked streets and high water. Radio stations relayed help messages through Nashville, Tennessee.

Frank Bauer, a retired Jefferson County police officer, discusses food distribution from Eline's Garage in St. Matthews, the Black people in the Harrod's Creek area, and other ways that food was obtained for the flood victims, as well as his work with the Pennsylvania State Troopers.

Alex Berman, a Louisville native, recalls family immigration, reasons for immigration, and European conditions. His parents were Meyer Berman of Covna and Esther Spindler of Grodna, Poland. He discusses associated families such as Goldsmith, Fink, Schuster, Sher Askenaz, Frehling, Mandel, Banshek (St. Louis), Goldberg, Bornstein, Goc, Arthur Kling, Israel and Zehavi Naamani. He describes Louisville merchants in 1912; family life; traditions; the University of Louisville in 1929; Market Street; 4th and Hill Streets; neighborhood stables; Ali Bornstein, builder; Ohio River's importance; Young Men's Hebrew Association; Jewish Hospital; Louis Hebrew School; Jewish Professionals; the Haymarket; Demolay for Boys; Congregations. Tape 2: Discusses Rabbi Zarchy; Rabbi Madlebaum 1940 - as president Kennesseth; World War II; B'nai B'rith; the 1937 flood; shabbat; Four Courts.

Betty Berman talks about her father, Nat Levy, from Lexington, KY, originally from Covna Guberniya. He met Erma Wolff from Louisville when she was in college at UK. They married in1921. Berman's grandparents: Harry J. and Hermine Wolff. Hermine from Essinge, Germany, came to Louisville on visit, at 19, met H.H. and stayed to marry. Paternal grandparents: Udel (Vershovovsky) Levy, and Esther Desnet Levy - story of immigration 1917, the 1937 Flood, YMHA.

Personal history of Doris Chapman. Relates to Louisville, Kentucky childhood; the Great Depression; the 1937 flood; living in Camp Taylor; World War II; German POWs in Louisville; Okolona; bussing; working at GE; and the 1974 tornado. (Interview index available)

Joe Conniff was ten years old at the time of the 1937 flood. He lived with his parents and older sister on Twentieth Street between Bank and Griffin Streets in Louisville's West End. When the floodwaters covered the streets in their neighborhood, Joe and his family moved to Fern Crerek and stayed with his cousin. He recalls riding to Fern Creek in an Army truck and driving through the water. He discusses what it was like staying in Fern Creek and his impressions of the flood. He also talks about the return to their home after the flood. He also compares the 1937 flood to the 1945 flood. Index available.

Ms. Crutcher recalls her home flooding and being evacuated to St. James Court. She also tried to get her money out of the bank but it didn't do any good because the city confiscated all of the groceries. She remembers the cold, the books in the library.

Albert Entwhistle discusses the flood in connection with his job as assistant to the President of the Mengel Company. This company manufactured mahogany veneers, plywood, woodworking, furniture.

Louisville native Hanna Fleck discusses her family coming to Louisville. Her father came from Kovna Guberniya to Baltimore to Portsmouth, Virginia, to Louisville. He first peddled in the country then opened a store at Shelby and Market Streets. Her mother was Rosa Berman. She remembers the 1937 flood, antisemitism, Mary Cohen, Bernard Berman, Levine, Lilly Meyers, Rabbi Gittleman, Lillian Goldberg Berman, Stella Levine, theater prices, Young Men's Hebrew Association, Girls High (1929), old Louisville landmarks.