Thinking about the past often means dusting off old photo albums and listening to stories from elders, attempting to piece together the narrative threads that wove the fabric of our communities. Heritage Village Museum & Park is flipping the script, though, by directly going to the residents of Pinellas County. They’re rolling out “The Power of Place Oral History Initiative,” a digital storytelling venture meant to capture and archive the personal histories that have, in so many ways, drawn the map of the county’s rich cultural landscape.
Heritage Village is not shy about casting a wide net here – they’re aiming to involve just about anyone with tales to tell. We’re talking city and county agencies, nonprofits, community groups, faith-based organizations, and businesses with the kind of legacy you can only earn by sticking it out over 50 long years. The “Power of Place highlights Pinellas County’s history by collecting personal stories and preserving them in a digital archive for future generations,” according to the Pinellas County official announcement. Translation: Your grandma’s recollections of the neighborhood soda fountain could soon be part of a digital tapestry that might just give future Pinellans a more personal look at their roots.
Here’s the kicker: there’s no paywall, no ticket of entry, no financial gatekeeping. Participation is free, clear and simple. That’s a strategic move, no doubt, ensuring the archive becomes as rich and varied as possible. After all, everyone’s story is worth the tape it’s recorded on. For those looking to take part, applications are already up and running. You can throw your historical hat into the ring by visiting the Heritage Village’s website…