OurStoryBridge – Voting Stories by You!

Do you, or someone you know have a personal story to tell about their experience of democracy in America? Schedule your time now to share your relationship with democracy starting June 17 at the Robert H. Jackson Center.

Was it the first time you voted? Or the time you marched for civil rights? Is it your experience with the local media?

In conjunction with hosting the Smithsonian Institution’s traveling exhibit, Voices and Votes: Democracy in America, the Center is recording oral histories from anyone willing to share!

Suggested topics include:

• Democracy & History
• Citizenship
• The Act of Voting
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
• Civil Rights/Activism
• Power of the Press

“We are excited to collect these personal stories and understand how they each contribute to a greater understanding of democracy and civic engagement,” says Tina Downey, RHJC’s coordinator for OurStoryBridge project. ”There’s something special about sharing a personal story that connects us with others. We are honored to be offering this opportunity for our community to give voice to personalized experiences that have shaped our own narratives of the democratic process.”

The process starts with contacting the Robert H. Jackson Center or booking a time online. We are currently scheduling hour-long sessions to complete the intake process, prepare the speaker, and record the interview. The recording is limited to six minutes, so the preparation time is important. An intern will be on hand to help guide the storyteller through each step of the process and ensure they feel prepared prior to recording.

People are encouraged, if possible, to bring in photos that help illuminate their story. These can be digital files or physical photos that staff can scan and return immediately.

Copyright of the full story belongs to the storyteller and may be removed if they wish. Memria, the organization that processes the stories, may edit, publish or share the story. The file may reside in the Smithsonian’s Museum on Mainstreet’s project archive.

Storytellers under 18 years of age may record with a parent or guardian’s signed permission form.

If you want to hear stories from other locations to get a sense of how they sound, visit OurStoryBridge.

Although we would prefer you to visit the Center, we understand that schedules and abilities may pose challenges. If resources permit, an intern can come to you, or help facilitate a remote recording. Please let us know by emailing a request to us.

Please share this opportunity with others in your personal network by forwarding this email or by engaging friends and associates in a conversation.

The Museum Association of New York is responsible for A New Agora for New York: Museums as Spaces for Democracy, which explores the context and main controversies around Democracy in America, includes the OurStoryBridge Project, and is funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and The William Pomeroy Foundation.

Voices and Votes: Democracy in America, a Smithsonian traveling exhibition, will visit the RHJC in September and is part of A New Agora for New York project.