The California State Legislature established the State Government Oral History Program (Chapter 965, Statutes of 1985) “to provide through the use of oral history a continuing documentation of state policy development as reflected in California’s legislative and executive history.” 

Under the administration of the California State Archives, oral history programs at the Claremont Graduate School, the California State University (Fullerton and Sacramento), and the University of California (Berkeley and Los Angeles) conduct the interviews.

The interviews offer insights into the actual workings of both the legislative and executive processes. They also offer an increased understanding of the men and women who create legislation and implement state policy.

The program is one of the most significant commitments made by any state toward the preservation and documentation of its governmental history.  Currently, the State Archives houses more than 200 oral histories, the largest repository of such histories within California. 

For a quick tutorial on how to access the California State Archives’ Oral History collection, simply click on ‘Read More’.