Oral History Projects
The best way to learn about history is from people who lived through it. Professors at Rutgers have been interviewing and recording conversations with individuals who don't just know about history, but experienced it as it happened, and in some cases, made history themselves.- Read the personal stories of those who survived wars and recalled other significant historical events at the Rutgers Oral History Archives: http://oralhistory.rutgers.edu
- Read and listen to personal stories of some of America's greatest jazz musicians at the university's Institute of Jazz Studies: http://newarkwww.rutgers.edu/IJS/OralHistory.html
After reading some of the oral history documents, think about the questions you would like to ask someone who lived during a time of war or a period in recent history that interests you. Complete as many of the suggestions below as possible.
- Interview that person and create a document of the conversation.
- Work with him or her to create a family chart, tracing his or her ancestors as far back as you can.
- Take a recent photo of the person and find a photo from his or her past.
- Create a collage of photos and events that took place during his or her lifetime.
- Put all the information in a booklet, and make copies if possible.
- Present the finished “oral history” to the person and members of his or her family.