Fannie Jones, left, tells her story about the Glenwood neighborhood to Chattanooga History Center curator of collections Marie Bourassa.
Photo by Rebecca W. MillerThe Chattanooga History Center is collecting oral histories throughout the next few weeks for a research archive outlining the personal impact of times past on Chattanoogans.
“The idea of taking oral histories as documentation of an era has been fairly common for 20-25 years now,” said Chattanooga History Center deputy director Marlene Payne. “It’s an excellent way to learn how people lived and felt about what was going on around them. It shows what it means to be a person in time and what decisions of that time mean for the community and the future.”
Payne said volunteers from the community are needed to come forward to tell their stories.
One of the early sessions will be held today, Nov. 3, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Lookout Mountain Town Hall with another interview session scheduled Nov. 5 at Red Bank Community Center from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To make the effort more convenient for residents, the History Center is hosting a series of interview times at various locations around Chattanooga.
The History Center uses two digital recorders with a microphone to capture up to 40 minutes of each person’s story. A volunteer asks questions or provides gentle prompts to get the dialogue rolling.
Payne said the History Center is looking for people to talk about everything from the development of neighborhoods over the years to the impact of different policies made by the city, state or federal government and the impact on persons in this region. Payne said organizers also hope to hear from local veterans.
Upcoming Interview Times and LocationsNov. 5 at Red Bank Community Center from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Nov. 9 at John A. Patten Recreation Center from 11:40 a.m. to 6 p.m.Nov. 10 at the Harrison Ruritan Club from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Nov. 11 at North River Civic Center from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.Nov. 12 at Bessie Smith Hall from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.Nov. 19 and 23 at Alexian Village Town Hall from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“One thing we know is missing from the historical documentation of Chattanooga is the lives of the working people in the factories of Chattanooga,” Payne said.
There have already been several opportunities for residents to share their histories with volunteers. During one interview, a gentleman’s story revolved around his memories of playing in Chickamauga Creek as a child. He talked about how back then people simply didn’t have the same level of environmental awareness. If there were rashes or strange illnesses after playing in a creek neither the children nor the parents would make the connection.
During a session of interviews held at Glenwood Community Center, Fannie Jones came forward to offer her history for posterity.
“I am talking about how I moved to Glenwood and how it’s changed and come back around,” Jones said. “Some of the changes I’ve seen just this year of how the Community Impact program came in and did curb appeal for the houses, putting in new fences. They’re trying to bring houses back the way they looked when I moved here 41 years ago.”
All the oral histories collected will be cataloged into a researchable collection and placed into the new Chattanooga History Center scheduled for completion in spring of 2012.