Rose Marie Zacek Interview

Rose Marie Zacek Interview

Zacek, Rose Marie (1948); Van Raalte Mill; Deaf parents; Polish Americans.; Work.; Humor.; Deaf camp; Deaf TV; West Side Beautification Project; Deaf.; Poland.; West Side Neighborhood Association; Saratoga Springs (N.Y.); Ethnic neighborhoods--United States.; Urban renewal.; Urban development.;

Rose Marie Zacek (1948-2023) discusses her West Side experiences, from her childhood growing up on the West Side to becoming one of the founders and active members of the West Side Neighborhood Association, founded in 1994. While discussing the immigration of her parents from Poland to the United States, Rose describes her family and how they were initially marginalized in Saratoga Springs because both her parents were deaf and non-speaking. She recounts stories of her childhood home and how she interacted and communicated with her parents, while also reflecting on instances of discrimination her parents were subjected to when Rose and her siblings were children. Rose also paints a picture of a transitional time in Saratoga Springs history during the 1980s and 1990s. The West Side Beautification project was undertaken to preserve green spaces and limit traffic in certain areas, based on earlier frustrations in which the development was limited by city officials.

Saratoga Springs Public Library

2005

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MP3

English

WSONP.0021.a.1

Leona Casey Signor

Rose Marie Zacek

Cassette Tape

00:48;24

Tape 1 Side A Notes
00:01:45 Shopping carts
00:02:35 Eviction process
00:02:55 Met at Princepessa Elena
00:04:35 Addressed safety issues for children and seniors
00:04:50 Beautification program
00:08:30 Developments, not low to moderate housing
00:11:15 Growing up in the west side
00:11:25 Two deaf parents
00:11:30 Father born in Poland
00:12:15 Father was in concentration camp in war of 1912
00:22:05 Father was devastated he couldn’t go to service
00:23:15 1948
00:23:50 Father held sign “Will work daily”, mother worked at Van Raalte
00:27:30 Mother laid off from Van Raalte, worked at local restaurants

Daily Life; People; Community & Events;

Oral histories