Name/Title
Oral History of Barbara PhillipsEntry/Object ID
2023.020.001Scope and Content
Barbara Phillips was born and raised in Palo Alto and went to San Jose State University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Commercial Art, and a graduate degree in education. She taught high school and middle school in the Salinas and Los Gatos schools prior to moving to Los Altos. In 1951, she and her husband, Howard, bought a lot on Summerhill Ave and built the home where Barbara still lives at the time of the interview.
Barbara was an active volunteer in many community organizations in Los Altos, both while raising her children and long after her daughters and son left home. She often used her artistic talents for her volunteer endeavors. At Los Altos Parent Preschool, she was activities chairman responsible for all of the crafts projects for the school and its children. For the Junior Women’s Club, she designed and – with the help of her husband – built and installed a set of cut-out storybook characters for the children’s playground at Shoup Park.
She worked with children at the Children’s Health Council; developed the junior high youth group program at Union Presbyterian Church; organized fundraising events for multiple groups; and worked in the Hillview school library mending books.
As child growing up in the area and a long-time resident of Los Altos, Barbara relays many experiences about life during an earlier time, and shares her joy of living and raising a family in Los Altos.Collection
Oral History CollectionOral History Details
Interviewee
Barbara PhillipsInterviewer
Roberta RiedelInterview Date
May 15, 2023