The first 35 folders are the result of a History class at the University of North Dakota in 1974, entitled "North Dakota in the Depression."  Students in the class interviewed many North Dakotans about the Great Depression experiences.  In some cases, a transcription of the interview is included, although the majority is reports of the interview.

Folders 36-60 are the result of a 1999 oral history project undertaken by the Walsh County Historical Preservation Commission.  These interviews were recorded on audio cassette tape and then transcribed.  The tapes and transcriptions were given to Dr. Kim Porter of the UND History Department, who then donated them to the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.