Decades of history, previously heard only inside kitchens and living rooms across Indiana, now have a permanent home.
More than 100 oral history interviews documenting the lived experiences of Black Hoosiers are now accessible through the Indiana Landmarks Black Heritage Preservation Program website and YouTube page.
The digital archive captures personal accounts from residents in Indianapolis, Clarksville, Fort Wayne, Lafayette, Princeton, Vincennes and Washington.
During local “history harvests,” residents sat down for interviews with students from the Indiana University Center for Rural Engagement to record family lineages and community memories.
“Oral histories are the first step toward fulfilling our mission to uncover, document, preserve and restore Black heritage sites and history,” said Eunice Trotter, director of the Black Heritage Preservation Program a press release. “These oral histories ensure that the voices, memories and contributions of Black Hoosiers remain part of Indiana’s shared story.”
Indiana Landmarks will use these recordings to support future historical markers and National Register nominations.
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