Oral History Education

The Great Depression impacted American lives for over a decade – an impact that for many became a permanent part of their personal values, customs, and expectations. While the Great Depression looms as a monolithic benchmark on our history’s timeline, the resulting generalization can take away from the significance of individual experiences. These are the stories that oral historians seek to document so that we can develop a deeper, more satisfying understanding of history.

The relevance of this historic time has become strikingly apparent as we face the challenges of overcoming today’s Great Recession, and make personal decisions during a time of tremendous difficulty.  I am grateful for my grandmother’s willingness to share her personal history with me, which has given me a new perspective on the Great Depression. During an oral history interview with her, I wondered whether my personal choices will lead to a better life down the road. She reminded me of the simple things that sustain and inspire us, and the importance of not giving up hope.

As I listened to my grandmother describe her father’s nightly guitar playing and folk singing, and the happiness this brought to the family, I saw the link to my own passion for music and song for the first time.  And, as we explored the importance of her mother’s cooking and the food that came from the family garden, I was inspired to make a family favorite — bread pudding, from my great-grandmother’s recipe box.  Now a favorite recipe of mine, I have to say, it’s the brown sugar that makes it simply delicious.  What stories are waiting to be discovered in your family recipe box?

Learning from an earlier generation is a “two-way street.” To learn and build a deeper understanding of the past, and gain insight into the experiences and the actions of generations before us, we need to listen to their stories. When we become active and genuine listeners to those who choose to share their life history with us, we embark on a journey of discovery with them. During an oral history interview, the interviewee is exploring his/her memory of the past with the aid of the interviewer. It can be a valuable exercise for the interviewee as self-discovery leads to historic perspective. The interviewer also goes through a process of self-discovery as he/she explores how problems were solved, attitudes were developed and culture was created during historic periods.

An inspired project through the Department of Aging in Illinois is utilizing oral history to connect to earlier generations and promote learning. According to a recent press release, one such project is presented by the Center for Creative Aging at Harold Washington College, in Chicago. The exhibit is on display through February 5 and features eight Chicagoans with vivid memories of the Great Depression who tell their stories on videotape in a project called “Hard Times, Yesterday and Today: Living Chicagoans’ Experience of the Great Depression and the Current Recession.” Jacquelyn A. Mattfeld, Ph.D., is the director for the Center for Creative Aging. She says it’s important to document our stories and to use them as a learning tool. “Through this oral history project we wanted to tell the stories of how people survived through this country’s worst economic crisis and we wanted to focus on lessons they can teach us today about survival, resilience and hard work,” Mattfield said.

Practitioners in the field of oral history can make a difference through collaborative projects like this one in Chicago — projects that facilitate a “two-way street” between generations. What is the best way to approach such projects? Check out the Oral History Association’s Wiki site to learn about best practices in the field.