The stories of our elders are as entertaining as they are instructive. There’s the high drama of World War II and the perseverance of toughing out the Great Depression – lessons that remain remarkably relevant today. From hard-boiled crime narratives of Prohibition-era bootlegging to the wild, high times of the Big Band and Jazz eras, these stories expose the misconception of the prudish senior while bringing history to life.
Luckily, today’s digital video technology makes capturing and archiving elders' stories easier than it’s ever been. The Legacies Project is unique in its commitment to maintaining an online video archive that is easily navigable and scientifically valuable. Legacies interviewers are IRB certified, and our interview template is mindful of Oral History Association requirements.