“In this article, Priyanka Seshardri makes the case for oral history’s place in museum collections. Today, we see museums around the world investigating the roots of their collections. Consequently, museums are being urged to follow more ethical collecting practices. Oral history as a discipline can serve as a useful guide towards this goal. It creates a rich world of storytelling around any type of collection, including works of art, archival documents, photographs and material objects. Its methods can also shape a museum’s relationships and reimagine its role as a custodian of collections.” Read more here.
Category: Uncategorized
Mary Valley Voices
“The Voices of the Valley project enabled Gympie Regional Libraries to capture and make available a significant piece of Mary Valley history, an area that had little written history recorded, and very little oral history preserved.” Find out more here.
9/11 from Children’s perspective
“Former students at an elementary school blocks away from the twin towers detail their memories of Sept. 11, 2001, and how it changed their lives.” Read story and listen to audio excerpts here.
Tape recordings to home in Pakistan
“The families who migrated to the UK and Canada in the 1980s and 1990s sent messages to their loved ones in Pakistan on cassette tape. The Tape Letters Project is aimed at preserving those voices.” Read more here.
National Gallery Open Online
“While their doors remain closed, the NGA is opening up their online resources for art lovers, knowledge seekers and Australia’s future creatives so they can explore the joys of the gallery without leaving the comfort of home.
Start with Tim Ross’ Constant to dive into the formative power of art and its undeniable constant presence in life. To hear a new perspective, listen to James Gleeson interview 98 Australia artists in their studios in the oral history collection, a significant resource and an insight into how art has influenced Australia over the years.” Read full article here. Note that the oral history collection link in the article is incorrect. The correct link is above.
9/11 Memorial & Museum
“The 9/11 Memorial Museum’s oral history collection documents the history of 9/11 through recorded interviews with responders, survivors, 9/11 family members, and others deeply affected by the attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.” Find website here.
MOAD
“The Museum of Australian Democracy’s Oral History collection contains a wealth of personal recollection and insight into the building and its people during the era when it was home to the federal parliament.” Find out more here.
Oral History in Theater
“Inspired by the testimonies of Grand County residents, the upcoming show from the DCPA Theatre Company joins local stories with music from Colorado artists to explore tragedy and resilience amid the state’s wildfire crisis.” Full story here.
Using objects in interviews
“It’s a recent trend in books and magazines to sum up subjects or periods of history by discussing a series of carefully—or randomly—chosen objects. One example is the British Museum’s “A History of the World in 100 Objects.” It’s really a new take on the old idea of a “conversation piece.” You can use this technique to inspire several generations to trade histories.” Read full story here.
Cambodian Oral Histories
“It is often mistakenly said that “history is written by the victors.” This is not true, and Cambodia’s history vindicates this point. The survivors of the Khmer Rouge were not the victors, but they are heroes, and as heroes, we must capture their oral history. Most history originates as oral history, and we must recognize the important role that oral history plays in the great tasks that lie before us.” Read full story here.