Elkhart County 250th Oral History Project - Recording Open House!

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 Unted 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?
At Ruthmere's Recording Open House on Monday, June 15, you are welcome to come anytime between 11 am and 2 pm and make your recording with help from museum staff who can assist you with interviewing, recording, and submitting your audio file. Interviews should be kept to 10 minutes or less.
Recordings will be archived and searchable at the Evelyn Lehman Culp Heritage Collection, a part of the Nappanee Library.
You can also send your audio recordings or connect with the Elkhart County 250 Committee by email at [email protected].