Elkhart County America 250 Committee Launches Oral History Project

The United States turns 250 years old this year. The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776. What does it mean to you and your family to be living in the United States during this big anniversary year? What does the Declaration of Independence mean to you?

We invite you to share your reflections on this 250th anniversary through a new oral history project across Elkhart County. Participants are encouraged to make a short audio recording of themselves or a friend or family member talking about their relationship to the United States. The United States as a nation is a 250-year-old ongoing experiment. Some interview questions might include:

• Tell us the story of how your family came to America, whether you arrived yesterday or your family has been here for thousands of years.
• What is a significant event in American history that you remember? How did it affect you, your family, and/or your community?
• As the country marks its 250th anniversary, what does living in America mean to you today?
• What hopes do you have for the future of the United States over the next 25–50 years?

This can be as simple as making a recording on your phone. Audio only, please. Then share your recording file, including name of person or people on the recording, who made the recording, contact phone and email to: elkhartcounty250@elkhartcountyhistory.org

Would you prefer to make your recording in person? Partners in this project are offering four opportunities to do just that. You may record your oral history interview on:

• Saturday, June 6, 10 am-3 pm
  Goshen Historical Museum, 124 S. Main Street, Goshen
  Contact: Danaé Wirth danae@goshenhistorical.org
  
• Saturday, June 13, 10 am-noon
  Elkhart County Historical Museum, 304 West Vistula Street, Bristol
  Contact: Julie Parke julie@elkhartcountyhistory.org
  
• Monday, June 15, 11 am-2 pm
  Ruthmere Arts & History Campus
  Beardsley Discovery Center, 819 N. Main Street, Elkhart
  Contact: Andrea Hutslar ahutslar@ruthmere.org
  
• Wednesday, June 17, 2-5 pm
  ELC Heritage Center / Nappanee Museum, 302 W Market Street, Nappanee
  Contact: Martha Owen mowen@nappaneelibrary.org

Recordings will be archived and searchable via https://elchc.catalogaccess.com/ at the Evelyn Lehman Culp Heritage Collection, a part of the Nappanee Library.

You can connect with the Elkhart County 250 Committee by email at ElkhartCounty250@elkhartcountyhistory.org.