This series contains audio recordings and transcriptions of oral history interviews conducted for the WRFG program series titled Living Atlanta: An Oral History from World War I through World War II. The series focuses on the period between the two World Wars in the belief that these years constituted a watershed in race relations, politics, economic development, and other aspects of Atlanta's history. The series sought to portray the complexities of life in a segregated city, and how, during the seemingly static years of segregation, changes were taking place that would influence the dramatic transformations of the 1950s and the 1960s.

Prominent subjects include race relations, segregation, public housing, popular music, baseball, neighborhoods, the Jewish community, police, healthcare, and education. Major events that are covered include the Great Fire of 1917, the 1906 Race Massacre, the Leo Frank trial, and the 1916 Streetcar Strike. Interview participants spoke about Atlanta neighborhoods such as the Old Fourth Ward, Cabbagetown and Buttermilk Bottom, and businesses such as the Coca-Cola Company, Atlanta Life Insurance, and the Fulton Bag and Cotton Mill. The Atlantans interviewed represent a broad cross section of society, including streetcar workers, musicians, professors, politicians, police chiefs, school teachers, railroad executives, and sports figures.

The interviews were mainly conducted by E. Bernard West and Clifford M. Kuhn, with some interviews conducted by Marcellus Barksdale, George Mitchell, Linda H. Black, and Adina Back. Interview transcriptions are sometimes incomplete.

In addition to the 278 recordings listed in the inventory for this series, an additional 108 recordings were made. Those recordings were identified by WRFG as "restricted." An inventory of these recordings are available at the Kenan Research Center. These recordings will not be provided to researchers without notification of approval by the Board of Directors of WRFG, Inc.