The We all can give voice to history

By Barbara Ruben

Oral history can bring the past to life in ways history books can’t — from a firstperson account of seeing a plane smash into the Pentagon on 9/11, to more pleasant recollections of Hot Shoppes restaurants, where waiters sprinted to cars with trays of milkshakes and burgers.

And in the Washington area, opportunities abound for people to both share their stories and read or listen to those of others.

Oral history is a form of storytelling that has been around for centuries and continues to be a powerful way to preserve culture and share experiences. It offers a unique perspective on the past, helping gain insight into people’s lived experiences.

“When people tell their story, it gives a better sense of belonging and ownership of the facts. Oral history can be important to the whole picture of our country’s story,” said Esther McCullough, chair of the Ethnic and Oral History Committee of the Fairfax County History Commission.

Often historians seek out older adults with a lifetime of unique memories.

“Interviewing our elders is a powerful way to preserve the most complete information — and the fullest connection to our community history,” said Anne Fisher, chair of the Oral History Committee of the Citizen’s Association of Georgetown, which has recorded oral histories from dozens of older residents since 2007.

In addition to Georgetown and Fairfax County, many local jurisdictions and civic associations collect oral histories.

For example, the D.C. Oral History Collaborative offers grants to organizations throughout the District to conduct oral history interviews. These have ranged from interviews with alumni from the 1970s and ‘80s of the School Without Walls, to inter- views with Ward 7 and 8 mothers who have lost children to gun violence.

Preserving a story for posterity

Oral histories can take several different forms, although most incorporate an interview with a person about their history. The final product can be a written transcript, or an audio or video recording of the interview.

For Julieanna Richardson, founder and

Stylish Senior Living

president of the History Makers — a nonprofit that has recorded more than 3,000 personal stories of both well-known and unsung African Americans — a video is the best way to capture a full picture.

“Taping these histories is vital because without that you can’t see the twinkling in someone’s eye or hear the intonation of

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