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Continuance Fall / Winter 2003Recording Family, Community and Cultural History Preserving history is like apple pie and motherhood but is often "something that I will do tomorrow." Each day many witnesses to such history pass away and their stories are lost forever. A new P-16 coalition, comprised of state agencies, historians, educators, and the media will encourage the recording and preserving of family, community, and cultural history to help reverse the loss of history. This far-reaching statewide effort has potential for every age: For youngsters, to learn about their roots and those of other cultures; for educators, the opportunity to address learning standards and to incorporate service into the curriculum; for veterans and older adults, a chance to articulate their legacy and receive visits from young people eager to hear their stories; for literacy programs, a way to make reading interesting; for all Illinoisans, a way to bring the past to the present and to save it for future generations. The coalition is preparing a plan that will be unveiled on May 1 as a part of the Illinois History Fair in Springfield. The plan will initially focus on producing a Guide that can help people get started. The Guide will be written in a simple, easy-to-use format appropriate for people in all walks of life. The Guide also provides beginnings for more comprehensive research. Another part of the plan is a clearinghouse has been established at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (www.lib.siu.edu/familyhistory) to highlight the abundant resources of state agencies, historical societies, libraries, and local schools and colleges. It will provide one stop access to family, cultural and community history resources. The Dialogue on Diversity, to be held on May 1, is the first of many events that will focus on the celebration and preservation of Illinois history. Other events will feature local storytelling and coincide with history-gathering holidays. Once the history is written, it must be preserved. The Illinois Historical Library along with the Illinois State Historical Society and others will help establish information on the ways to preserve written and recorded oral history. A final goal is to make the oral history part of a living social history, one that is available for all to use in their research and writing. The ultimate goal is to create a progression of history from oral history to family history to community history to Illinois history.
One of the most rewarding educational experiences is an oral history interview. After an interview with an elder, students who Senator Emil Jones, Jr., Chair Dialogue on Diversity have never participated in class are eager to share their discoveries with classmates. When the interview is with someone of a different culture, the discoveries are even more profound. On May 1, Senator Emil Jones, will chair a meeting of students, older adults, and state leaders to acknowledge the importance of multicultural discussion and the understanding that results from honest dialogue. The Dialogue on Diversity will be a part of the Illinois History Fair in Springfield.
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