GRAVETTE -- Two Northwest Arkansas Questers Chapters from Bella Vista, the Butterfield Trails Chapter and the Blowing Springs Chapter, are partnering with the Pryor Center for Oral and Visual History at the University of Arkansas, local history museums and community agencies to collect oral histories of Northwest Arkansas residents.
A significant partner in this project is the Gravette Historical Museum Commission. Randi VanNoy, the curator of the museum, works with the project to recruit people to share their stories. She then sets appointments for them to be interviewed at the Kindley House or other convenient location for the interviewee. Interviews generally take about an hour and the participant is able to also provide photos which are scanned and kept with the interview.
"We are losing a lot of important history by not recording stories of Arkansas by our long-term residents," said Connie Fetters, one of the coordinators of the Northwest Arkansas Oral History Project. She and Camille Hatcher, the second coordinator of the project, went to local Questers Chapters and history museums to encourage capturing these stories. After finding that members of local groups were interested in helping interview residents about their Arkansas stories, they went to the Pryor Center to find a partner for the project.
Through their efforts, Northwest Arkansas residents now have an opportunity to share their stories. These stories, which are digitally recorded, will be placed and kept in the archives of the University of Arkansas. They will also be available for the public to access on the Pryor Center website.
The project has been going on for about two months. Ten people have been interviewed so far at Gravette and about 20 more have been referred to be interviewed, Hatcher said. Each interview is unique and the stories shared are significant to the history of the area.
Anyone who would like to be interviewed, has a person they would like to recommend for an interview, or who would like more information about the project may contact Randi VanNoy at 479-866-7297 or either of the project coordinators, Connie Fetters, 479-640-3519, or Camille Hatcher, 479-855-4761. Individuals who would like to become one of those interviewing the subjects should also contact VanNoy or the project coordinators.
There are three Questers Chapters in Bella Vista. Questers are dedicated to the study, conservation and preservation of historical objects and places for the benefit of citizens today and in the future. Meetings are a mix of field trips to historical sites, presentations on historical topics and sharing of collections. Each chapter is also involved in local community preservation and restoration projects. The Butterfield Trails Chapter has been instrumental in securing several period furnishings for the historic Kindley house.
New members are always welcome in this active international preservation group. To learn more, visit the websites arkansasquesters.com and questers1944.org.
Community on 05/16/2018