Minnesota's Greatest Generation Oral History Project: Richfield in the Postwar Era: Interview with Lawrence Molsather

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Minnesota's Greatest Generation Oral History Project: Richfield in the Postwar Era: Interview with Lawrence Molsather

Saylor, Thomas

Molsather, Lawrence

Created: 05/03/2007

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: Larry Molsather, the son of Norwegian immigrants, was born in Richfield, Minnesota, where he was president of the first class to go through the Richfield High School. He moved away from Richfield after college, but later returned to live in one of his childhood homes. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Convenience and affordability of living in Richfield; postwar growth of the city; description of Richfield houses; move from wells to a municipal water system; Richfield's experience of World War II including rationing, air raid wardens, blackouts, and an increase in the employment of women; close-knit neighborhoods and increasing numbers of children in the postwar period; expansion of the schools; increasing suburban shopping options; safety of the community; organization of sports teams for the large numbers of children; developing school traditions; endurance of friendships from Richfield High School; personal experience of balancing Norwegian language and traditions with American ones; jobs available to young people in Richfield in the 1950s; participation in University of Minnesota athletics; reasons for returning to Richfield; aging and stability of the neighborhoods; negative impacts of highway construction and the airport; recent increases in crime in Richfield.

Minnesota Digital Library

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http://collections.mnhs.org/cms/display.php?irn=10868658