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Title: Vivern Haight discusses his career at the REO Clubhouse
Creator: Haight, Vivern
Date: 1993-02-04
Collection: G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection
Description: Vivern Haight talks about his career as a staff person at the REO Clubhouse, the company-owned events center of the REO Motor Car Company (later Diamond-Reo Trucks, Inc.), in Lansing, Mi. Haight, who worked for REO from 1945 to 1975, describes the ornate Clubhouse and his duties and discusses all of the famous sports figures, politicians and other celebrities, including President Dwight Eisenhower, who came through its doors. Haight talks about seeing the R.E. Olds mansion and the REO...
Show moreVivern Haight talks about his career as a staff person at the REO Clubhouse, the company-owned events center of the REO Motor Car Company (later Diamond-Reo Trucks, Inc.), in Lansing, Mi. Haight, who worked for REO from 1945 to 1975, describes the ornate Clubhouse and his duties and discusses all of the famous sports figures, politicians and other celebrities, including President Dwight Eisenhower, who came through its doors. Haight talks about seeing the R.E. Olds mansion and the REO plant as a kid in Lansing and relates stories and local color about the Olds family. The interviewers are Shirley Bradley and Lisa Fine. Recorded as part of the REO Memories oral history project.
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Title: Norm Grimwood discusses her parents' experiences working at REO Motor Car Company and her career in automobile industry
Creator: Grimwood, Norma
Date: 1992-03-26
Collection: G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection
Description: Norma Grimwood talks about her father’s experiences working at REO Motor Car Company during the years 1918 to 1961 and her childhood in a REO family. Grimwood is nostalgic about going to movies at the REO Clubhouse, the beautiful pipe organ, and belonging to a company bowling league, but she also grimly recalls the 1937 strike which brought UAW representation into the plant. She also describes her mother doing piecework in the REO upholstery department, her father testing amphibious trucks...
Show moreNorma Grimwood talks about her father’s experiences working at REO Motor Car Company during the years 1918 to 1961 and her childhood in a REO family. Grimwood is nostalgic about going to movies at the REO Clubhouse, the beautiful pipe organ, and belonging to a company bowling league, but she also grimly recalls the 1937 strike which brought UAW representation into the plant. She also describes her mother doing piecework in the REO upholstery department, her father testing amphibious trucks on the Grand River in Lansing and her own career at the General Motors Oldsmobile plant and being forced to leave when she became engaged. The interviewers are Shirley Bradley and Lisa Fine. Recorded as part of the REO Memories oral history project.
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Title: Otto Aves discusses his career at REO Motor Car Company and Diamond REO Trucks, Inc
Creator: Aves, Otto
Date: 1993-01-04
Collection: G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection
Description: Otto Aves talks about his career at REO Motor Car Company/Diamond-Reo Trucks, Inc., in Lansing, MI, from 1944 to 1972. Aves describes growing up on a Delta Township farm and following both of his parents into the plant. He also talks about building military vehicles without heaters and defrosters, trying to run the family farm while working double shifts, a wildcat strike over piece rate pay, conditions on the shop floor, building custom trucks for celebrities, and the tremendous influence...
Show moreOtto Aves talks about his career at REO Motor Car Company/Diamond-Reo Trucks, Inc., in Lansing, MI, from 1944 to 1972. Aves describes growing up on a Delta Township farm and following both of his parents into the plant. He also talks about building military vehicles without heaters and defrosters, trying to run the family farm while working double shifts, a wildcat strike over piece rate pay, conditions on the shop floor, building custom trucks for celebrities, and the tremendous influence of the UAW. He says that REO was much like a family and reminisces about REO picnics, outings at Lake Lansing, the REO Clubhouse, movies, bowling, and the ball teams. As in any family, he says, there were problems and he describes filing a shop grievance against his real-life father-in-law who also worked at REO. The interviewers are Shirley Bradley and Lisa Fine. Recorded as part of the REO Memories oral history project.
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Title: Larry Otis talks about his career at REO Motor Car Company and Diamond REO Trucks, Inc
Creator: Otis, Larry
Date: 2004-05-11
Collection: G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection
Description: Larry Otis talks about his career at REO Motor Car Company/Diamond-Reo Trucks, Inc., in Lansing, MI, from 1959 to 1975. Otis describes his youth and early jobs before coming to REO as a truck mechanic. He talks about REO facilities and products, explains the closing of the plant, the disposal of parts and equipment and the start of the Nuts & Bolts Store by former REO workers selling salvaged REO parts. Otis says that he considered REO a good place to work and recalls employee activities in...
Show moreLarry Otis talks about his career at REO Motor Car Company/Diamond-Reo Trucks, Inc., in Lansing, MI, from 1959 to 1975. Otis describes his youth and early jobs before coming to REO as a truck mechanic. He talks about REO facilities and products, explains the closing of the plant, the disposal of parts and equipment and the start of the Nuts & Bolts Store by former REO workers selling salvaged REO parts. Otis says that he considered REO a good place to work and recalls employee activities in the plant and the REO Clubhouse and the sense of belonging that came with REO employment. The interviewer is Shirley Bradley. Recorded as part of the commemoration of the REO Motor Car Company's 100th Anniversary.
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Title: Vernon Cook discusses his career at REO Motor Car Company and Diamond REO Trucks, Inc
Creator: Cook, Vernon
Date: 1992-02-05
Collection: G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection
Description: Vernon Cook recalls working at REO Motor Car Company/Diamond-Reo Trucks, Inc, in Lansing, Mi, between 1944 and 1948. Cook says that much of his family worked at REO, including his future wife and that company culture dominated their lives. He describes factory working conditions, the REO Clubhouse, seeing the "Baby REO" car on display, the 1937 sit-down strike, and listening to WREO, the company radio station. He also talks at length about his job as a stock chaser in the plant and describes...
Show moreVernon Cook recalls working at REO Motor Car Company/Diamond-Reo Trucks, Inc, in Lansing, Mi, between 1944 and 1948. Cook says that much of his family worked at REO, including his future wife and that company culture dominated their lives. He describes factory working conditions, the REO Clubhouse, seeing the "Baby REO" car on display, the 1937 sit-down strike, and listening to WREO, the company radio station. He also talks at length about his job as a stock chaser in the plant and describes how trucks were built, tested and then dismantled for export. Interviewers are Shirley Bradley and Lisa Fine. Recorded as part of the REO Memories oral history project.
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Title: Specters of Lansing
Date: 2009
Collection: G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection
Description: Audio from a MSU graduate student produced video titled "Specters of Lansing" about Lansing's Old Town district and its revitalization. Various speakers reminisce about Old Town, its character in the past and what is has become. They talk about the former buildings and businesses and the restoration, new construction, and new businesses that have reinvigorated the area. Jack Taylor narrates.

Title: Interview of Irene Collier, administrative professional for the Christman Company in Lansing, Michigan, about her duties on the project to renovate, restore, and construct new portions of the Snyder-Phillips Halls complex to house the new Residential C...
Creator: Collier, Irene
Date: 2007-07-18
Collection: G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection
Description: Irene Collier, administrative professional for the Christman Company in Lansing, Michigan, talks about her duties on the project to renovate, restore, and construct new portions of the Snyder-Phillips Halls complex to house the new Residential College in the Arts and Humanities (RCAH) on the campus of Michigan State University. Collier explains Christman's role as general contractor, the complexity of the project, and the challenges of coordinating the schedules of thirty different...
Show moreIrene Collier, administrative professional for the Christman Company in Lansing, Michigan, talks about her duties on the project to renovate, restore, and construct new portions of the Snyder-Phillips Halls complex to house the new Residential College in the Arts and Humanities (RCAH) on the campus of Michigan State University. Collier explains Christman's role as general contractor, the complexity of the project, and the challenges of coordinating the schedules of thirty different subcontractors. She also talks about a dispute over using a non-union contractor, prevailing wage requirements, and how it feels to be the lone female working on the project.
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Title: Russell and Eva Alberts discuss their career at REO Motor Car Company
Creator: Alberts, Russell
Date: 1992-04-16
Collection: G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection
Description: Russell Alberts talks about working at REO Motor Car Company, in Lansing, MI, from 1928 to 1939. Alberts describes conditions in the plant, his jobs, pay, benefits, and hours, before unionization and the great strides made by workers after the big labor strike of 1937 and the Lansing Labor Holiday. He also talks about the REO Clubhouse, the radio station, REO products and making experimental vehicles for the American military. Alberts' wife, Eva Alberts, describes her work in the REO Navy...
Show moreRussell Alberts talks about working at REO Motor Car Company, in Lansing, MI, from 1928 to 1939. Alberts describes conditions in the plant, his jobs, pay, benefits, and hours, before unionization and the great strides made by workers after the big labor strike of 1937 and the Lansing Labor Holiday. He also talks about the REO Clubhouse, the radio station, REO products and making experimental vehicles for the American military. Alberts' wife, Eva Alberts, describes her work in the REO Navy Department during the war and both discuss an accidental death in the plant and the safety issues which plagued the manufacturer for decades. The interviewer is Shirley Bradley. Recorded as part of the REO Memories oral history project.
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Title: Linda Maxon discusses her career at REO Motor Car Company and Diamond REO Trucks, Inc
Creator: Maxon, Linda L.
Date: 2004-06-25
Collection: G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection
Description: Linda Maxon discusses her early years at REO Motor Car Company/Diamond-Reo Trucks, Inc., in Lansing, MI. She says that she started as a temporary stenographer in 1967 and stayed to work as a secretary for several managers until the plant closed in 1975. Maxon shares many experiences about company social events and institutions and describes the loss of the REO Clubhouse and the burning of the factory itself. Maxon says that in the end, she was able to draw money from the REO pension fund...
Show moreLinda Maxon discusses her early years at REO Motor Car Company/Diamond-Reo Trucks, Inc., in Lansing, MI. She says that she started as a temporary stenographer in 1967 and stayed to work as a secretary for several managers until the plant closed in 1975. Maxon shares many experiences about company social events and institutions and describes the loss of the REO Clubhouse and the burning of the factory itself. Maxon says that in the end, she was able to draw money from the REO pension fund before it was drained and describes the terrible depression suffered by other workers who lost all of their retirement money. The interviewer is Shirley Bradley. Recorded as part of the commemoration of REO Motor Car Company’s 100th Anniversary.
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Title: Edward Rankin discusses his career as an inventory clerk, manager, and sales representative at REO Motor Car Company and Diamond REO Trucks, Inc
Creator: Rankin, Edward R.
Date: 1992-01-28
Collection: G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection
Description: Edward Rankin recalls his career as an inventory clerk, manager, and sales representative at REO Motor Car Company/Diamond-Reo Trucks, Inc, in Lansing, MI, between 1947 and 1973. Rankin talks about his youth and being hired at REO, and speaks nostalgically about REO social life, worker sports teams and the beautiful Olds family pipe organ featured at the REO Clubhouse. He also describes sales trips to Iraq and Lebanon on behalf of REO, the intricacies of foreign markets and general market...
Show moreEdward Rankin recalls his career as an inventory clerk, manager, and sales representative at REO Motor Car Company/Diamond-Reo Trucks, Inc, in Lansing, MI, between 1947 and 1973. Rankin talks about his youth and being hired at REO, and speaks nostalgically about REO social life, worker sports teams and the beautiful Olds family pipe organ featured at the REO Clubhouse. He also describes sales trips to Iraq and Lebanon on behalf of REO, the intricacies of foreign markets and general market pressures in the truck business. Interviewers are Shirley Bradley and Lisa Fine. Recorded as part of the REO Memories oral history project.
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Title: Wayne Nunheimer discusses his career at REO Motor Car Company and Diamond REO Trucks, Inc
Creator: Nunheimer, Wayne
Date: 1992-06-18
Collection: G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection
Description: Wayne Nunheimer recalls his career at REO Motor Car Company/Diamond-Reo Trucks, Inc., in Lansing, MI, from 1945 to 1975. He talks about his father working for REO, the REO Clubhouse, the 1937 strike, the company in the post-war period, his job as a spot welder, lawnmower production, piecework and the beautiful REO Flying Cloud automobile. Nunheimer also recalls the mergers which led to the end of the company, ongoing legal battles in bankruptcy, and says how fortunate workers were to have...
Show moreWayne Nunheimer recalls his career at REO Motor Car Company/Diamond-Reo Trucks, Inc., in Lansing, MI, from 1945 to 1975. He talks about his father working for REO, the REO Clubhouse, the 1937 strike, the company in the post-war period, his job as a spot welder, lawnmower production, piecework and the beautiful REO Flying Cloud automobile. Nunheimer also recalls the mergers which led to the end of the company, ongoing legal battles in bankruptcy, and says how fortunate workers were to have union representation and what a positive influence the union was in the plant. The interviewers are Shirley Bradley and Lisa Fine. Recorded as part of the REO Memories oral history project.
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Title: Jack Down discusses his career at REO Motor Car Company and Diamond REO Trucks, Inc
Creator: Down, Jack (Autoworker)
Date: 1992-02-18
Collection: G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection
Description: Jack Down, an R. E. Olds Transporation Museum volunteer and former REO Motor Car Company/Diamond-Reo Trucks, Inc. employee, recalls his experiences with the company and his life in the Greater Lansing, MI area. Down talks about his youth in East Lansing, attending Michigan State College, his jobs prior to working for REO, the factory buildings and land around the plant, the REO Clubhouse, and the beginnings of the REO Motor Car Company and the Oldsmobile and Fisher Body operations in Lansing....
Show moreJack Down, an R. E. Olds Transporation Museum volunteer and former REO Motor Car Company/Diamond-Reo Trucks, Inc. employee, recalls his experiences with the company and his life in the Greater Lansing, MI area. Down talks about his youth in East Lansing, attending Michigan State College, his jobs prior to working for REO, the factory buildings and land around the plant, the REO Clubhouse, and the beginnings of the REO Motor Car Company and the Oldsmobile and Fisher Body operations in Lansing. He also discusses the tragedy of owner Francis Cappaert raiding the REO worker's pension fund and the turmoil of the Lansing Labor Holiday and the labor confrontation known as the Battle of the Red Cedar. The interviewers are Shirley Bradley and Lisa Fine. Recorded as part of the REO Memories oral history project.
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Title: Marjorie Koehler discusses her career at REO Motor Car Company and Diamond REO Trucks, Inc
Creator: Koehler, Marjorie
Date: 1992-06-16
Collection: G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection
Description: Marjorie Koehler talks about her career at REO Motor Car Company/Diamond-Reo Trucks, Inc., in Lansing, MI, from 1947 to 1975. She says that her grandfather and father were working at REO when she came on board, after working for the State of Michigan, the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) and the Works Projects Administration (WPA). She describes working in the payroll and catalog departments at REO, shares stories of the REO Clubhouse, employee picnics and the annual employee fair and says...
Show moreMarjorie Koehler talks about her career at REO Motor Car Company/Diamond-Reo Trucks, Inc., in Lansing, MI, from 1947 to 1975. She says that her grandfather and father were working at REO when she came on board, after working for the State of Michigan, the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) and the Works Projects Administration (WPA). She describes working in the payroll and catalog departments at REO, shares stories of the REO Clubhouse, employee picnics and the annual employee fair and says that working at REO was much better than Oldsmobile, where her husband was worked. The interviewers are Shirley Bradley and Lisa Fine. Recorded as part of REO Memories oral history project.
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Title: Hilda Smith discusses her career at the REO Motor Car Company
Creator: Smith, Hilda (Autoworker)
Date: 1992-02-12
Collection: G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection
Description: Ninety-six-year-old Hilda Smith recalls her career at the REO Motor Car Company, in Lansing, MI, between 1923 and 1964. Smith talks fondly about her family, her job in REO's Human Resources Department, and her retirement after a forty-two year career. She looks through a scrapbook with the interviewers, identifying managers and coworkers and talks about the REO Clubhouse, movies, and caring for her thirteen siblings. The interviewers are Shirley Bradley and Lisa Fine. Recorded as part of...
Show moreNinety-six-year-old Hilda Smith recalls her career at the REO Motor Car Company, in Lansing, MI, between 1923 and 1964. Smith talks fondly about her family, her job in REO's Human Resources Department, and her retirement after a forty-two year career. She looks through a scrapbook with the interviewers, identifying managers and coworkers and talks about the REO Clubhouse, movies, and caring for her thirteen siblings. The interviewers are Shirley Bradley and Lisa Fine. Recorded as part of the REO Memories oral history project.
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Title: Glidden tourists on opera house steps in Mankato, Minn., at 1909 Glidden Tour
Date: 1909
Collection: Making of Modern Michigan
Description: 4.5x6.5 black and white photograph of group of Glidden Tour participants seated and standing on opera house steps, posed for photograph, photographer's shadow in foreground, in Mankato, Minnesota, at the 1909 Glidden Tour. Negative #C21,790.

Title: Packard Avenue, 1930
Date: 1930
Collection: Making of Modern Michigan
Description: 8x10 black and white Packard Co. file photograph of Packard Avenue from the main gate, 1930. Packard Avenue runs between two factory buildings connected by brick bridges, car parked on right side of avenue.

Title: Packard office building, 1931
Date: 1931
Collection: Making of Modern Michigan
Description: 8x10 black and white sepia-toned Packard Co. file photograph of 1931 aerial view of the Packard office building in Detroit,Mich., cars parked along street, ten males standing near front entrance.

Title: Packard Detroit facility, aerial view, 1935
Date: 1935
Collection: Making of Modern Michigan
Description: 8x10 black and white Packard Co. file photograph of the 1935 Packard Detroit facility, aerial view, water tower in center, several cars parked around building on streets. Inscribed on photo back: Packard Motor Car Co., East Grand Blvd., Detroit, Mich. facility, building given over to 120 production.

Title: Packard administration building, early 1900s, several Packards on street in front of building
Date: 1xxx
Collection: Making of Modern Michigan
Description: 8x10 black and white Packard Co. file photograph of the Packard administration building, early 1900s, several different models of Packards lining the street in front of building.

Title: Packard factory parking yard full of models
Date: 1xxx
Collection: Making of Modern Michigan
Description: 8x10 black and white Packard Co. file photograph of the Packard factory parking yard, early 1900s, several different models of Packards lining the street behind and next to yard, two factories with 'Packard' sign in background, building in right background reads 'Many new beautiful and luxurious models, The Packard SK, in name and therefore Packard in quality, ask the man who owns one.'

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