The Center works to preserve the cultural legacy of our mountain elders while reforging the link between our elders and our young people.

Our Oral History Training was developed to accomplish both things: reconnect our young with elders
with valuable life and historic lessons while preserving our  elder’s stories.

HOW TO BEGIN

Oral Histories are one of the most effective ways for a community to preserve its history, The stories of our elders, their memories, their skills and resilience help us better understand where we came from, how prepared our communities were in the past to face all kinds of challenges and the deep connection it had to its culture, its natural resources and to each other.  The workshop and the tools below can help even the beginner oral historian get started with family members and community elders.

First Steps

Find an elder in your family or community who is willing to be interviewed using a video camera, smart phone, or any other creative way you like.

Second

Follow the simple guidelines in our oral history guidelines. It is highly recommended that each interview be recorded and that each recording be transcribed.  Contact your local genealogical center or history organization to coordinate your efforts with them.  Be sure to have the elder sign a release that gives you the right to make their inteview accessible to the public, local and regional institutions and more.

Third

Let us know your success stories and share with us the jewels you uncover by Contacting Us.  Good luck!

 GET STARTED

Oral History Guidelines