Introduction:  What is Oral History?

Oral history is the collection of living people’s testimony of their own experiences.  An oral historian is not interested in folklore, gossip, hearsay or rumors that circulate an event.  Historians attempt to analyze, verify, and place their experience in correct historical context.  

In an oral history project interviewees recall an event.  It is the responsibility of the interviewer to record these recollections and create a historical record.  Oral histories if done well will create a snapshot into the valuable first hand experiences of the past.  Oral histories are not without their faults.  It rely upon recall, memory and the spoken word. 

Our project will be split into two activities.

Let’s Get Started!!!

Activity 1

In the first activity, you will learn the history and techniques involved in an oral history project.  

Activity 2

The second activity, will be divided into two parts.  The first part will explore the type of questions to ask during the interview process of an oral history.  The second part will require you to interview and create an interactive presentation to present your subject.