Browse Stories

Cumberland County has been the home of thousands of individuals and organizations. Each has contributed to its history in ways both small and large. The Gardner Digital Library collects these stories in the Memory Bank. From Oral Histories of locals experiences in World War II to serving local civic organizations to growing up in Carlisle, Silver Springs Township, the West Shore, or Shippensburg, the Memory Bank is a place where the collected stories of Cumberland County can be shared and engaged with to present a fuller history of the County.

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Marian Mundorff (Women in World War II)

Photo of Marian Mundorff during the Interview

Interview with Marian Mundorff at her home in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania on July 17, 2002 with Jen Elliott as part of the Cumberland County Women During World War Two Oral History Project. Mundorff discusses her family's efforts during the war including her own as a messenger during blackouts, making bandages at the hospital through Girl Scouts, and the scrap drives and bond sales at school.

Robert Murray

Image of Robert Murray during Interview

Interview of Bob Murray by Pamela Still on July 30, 2015. The interview focuses on Murray's interest in the history of Mount Holly Springs including his collection of photographs documenting the history of the borough.

Wilson O'Donnell

Interview of Wilson O'Donnell for the Elizabeth V. and George F. Gardner Digital Library Memory Bank. O'Donnell discusses his role as the first professional curator of the Cumberland County Historical Society including the exhibits he curated.

Bob Over

Interview of Bob Over for the Elizabeth V. and George F. Gardner Digital Library an initiative of the Cumberland County Historical Society. Over discusses growing up in Newville, Pennsylvania during the Great Depression and World War II as well as the history of Newville.

Donald E. Owens Sr.

Donald E. Owens Sr.

This transcript includes portions of the tape that relate to the migration of African-American families to Cumberland County or the Underground Railroad. Donald Owens stated that he heard many of these stories from his grandmother, who raised him. Other portions of the tape contain his memories of events in the 1930s, visits to his uncle’s farm where he helped with butchering, going to school, and jobs that he had. 

Harry G. Pace

Interview of Harry G. Pace by Michael Snyder for the Elizabeth V. and George F. Gardner Digital Library. Pace discusses his early life in North Carolina, his Naval service during World War II, and his experience as a firefighter in the Empire Hook and Ladder Company in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

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