Virginia McCarthy’s earliest memory is overhearing her parents discuss bank closures at the brink of the Great Depression. Fortunately, the majority of her childhood memories growing up in 1930’s Chicago are rather pleasant. “I didn’t find the Depression so depressing,” Virginia told her daughter, Mary McCarthy, in a recent interview at the Nashville StoryBooth.
Virginia can still recall outdoor concerts at Garfield Park, playing in alleyways while collecting bottles for their two cent deposit, and sleeping outside with her father and siblings during hot summer nights. She even remembers attending the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair.
“I had a wonderful life, ” she told her daughter at the end of the interview.
“Did you have fun talking about a little bit of it today?” Mary asked.
“Yes I did, because it reminds me of all the fun things we did… I enjoyed it tremendously.”
