Student Oral History Project Coming to a Close

After nearly two and a half years, Louisiana Sea Grant’s Coastal Change Oral History Project is coming to a close.

“Overall, the project was a success for Sea Grant, as we now have 19 interviews archived with the T. Harry Williams Center for Oral History at LSU, where they can be referenced and used by researchers for generations to come,” said Darcy Wilkins, the LSG research associate on the project.

High school students from Orleans, LaFourche, St. Mary and Cameron parishes collected the interviews, transcribed the recordings, and even created an art piece and original music composition as a result of the project. The objective was to gather oral histories from people living in at-risk parts of southern Louisiana while simultaneously involving students of those communities.

“Although it’s less tangible than the materials now in the library, the students involved learned more about their own family heritage as well as the cultural history of their hometowns,” added Wilkins. “They also came away more confident in speaking with their elders and the general public.”

Approximately 40 students at Holy Cross School, South Cameron High School, Thibodaux High School and West St. Mary High School participated in the project. Teachers involved were Sue Ellen Lyons, Tina Savoie, David Sneed and Vanessa West.

Wilkins is in the process of producing a short video documenting the project.

To reach the collection, visit www.lib.lsu.edu/special/williams/collections/lasg.html.

Photo by Carbon Arc (Flickr – https://www.flickr.com/photos/41002268@N03/)