This collection contains materials amassed by Van Sickle while undertaking the writing of his senior thesis. The bulk of this collection contains audiocassettes with interviews Van Sickle conducted with Lake Forest residents who lived in the town during the Great Depression. There are also handwritten notes and transcripts from the interviews, as well as 18 release forms.

Also in the collection is a copy of Van Sickle’s 1986 published article in the Illinois Historical Journal that was developed from his senior thesis and has the same title.

Additionally, there is a box containing late 19th-early 20th century theatre programs, mostly from Illinois.

This collection contains oral history interviews with Lake Bluff residents about their time living in the town. The interviews were conducted by Catherine Shively over a two month period. The collection contains photocopies of Shively's handwritten notes taken during the interviews, as well as typed copies of the interviews.