Oral History Association

Oral History Association. The Oral History Association was established in 1966 by Louis Starr, Allan Nevins, and David M. Kennedy to promote the collection and preservation of oral history interviews. The organization has its roots in the Columbia University Oral History Research Office, founded by Allan Nevins in 1948, and has since grown to include members from various institutions, including the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, and Smithsonian Institution. The association has worked closely with other organizations, such as the American Historical Association, Organization of American Historians, and Society of American Archivists, to advance the field of oral history.

● History

The Oral History Association has a rich history, dating back to the 1960s, when Allan Nevins and Louis Starr began collecting oral history interviews with notable figures, including Dwight D. Eisenhower, Harry S. Truman, and John F. Kennedy. The association's early work was influenced by the Columbia University Oral History Research Office and the University of California, Berkeley's Regional Oral History Office. Over the years, the organization has grown to include members from institutions such as the National Museum of American History, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and New York Public Library. The association has also worked with international organizations, including the International Oral History Association and the European Oral History Association, to promote the global development of oral history.

● Mission_and_Objectives

The Oral History Association's mission is to promote the collection, preservation, and use of oral history interviews, and to support the work of oral historians, including Studs Terkel, Alex Haley, and Doris Kearns Goodwin. The association's objectives include providing training and resources for oral historians, such as workshops and conferences, and promoting the use of oral history in historical research, museum exhibitions, and documentary films. The organization has worked closely with other institutions, including the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Science Foundation, and Ford Foundation, to support oral history projects and initiatives. The association has also collaborated with organizations such as the American Library Association, Society of American Archivists, and National Council on Public History to advance the field of oral history.

● Activities_and_Programs

The Oral History Association offers a range of activities and programs, including workshops, conferences, and training sessions, to support the work of oral historians. The association has worked with institutions such as the United States Army Center of Military History, National Park Service, and Library of Congress to develop oral history programs and projects. The organization has also collaborated with other associations, including the American Studies Association, Organization of American Historians, and Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations, to promote the use of oral history in various fields. The association's activities have included projects such as the September 11 Oral History Project, Civil Rights Oral History Project, and Women's Oral History Project, which have been supported by organizations such as the National Endowment for the Humanities and Ford Foundation.

● Publications

The Oral History Association publishes a range of materials, including the Oral History Review, which features articles and reviews on oral history topics, and the Oral History Newsletter, which provides news and updates on the association's activities. The organization has also published books and guides on oral history, including the Oral History Manual and Oral History Handbook, which have been used by institutions such as the University of California, Los Angeles, University of Michigan, and Harvard University. The association's publications have been supported by organizations such as the National Endowment for the Humanities and National Science Foundation, and have included contributions from notable oral historians, including Studs Terkel, Doris Kearns Goodwin, and Taylor Branch.

● Conferences_and_Workshops

The Oral History Association hosts an annual conference, which brings together oral historians from around the world to share their research and experiences. The conference has featured keynote speakers such as David McCullough, Doris Kearns Goodwin, and Taylor Branch, and has included sessions on topics such as oral history methodology, digital oral history, and oral history and social justice. The association has also offered workshops and training sessions, which have been supported by organizations such as the National Endowment for the Humanities and Ford Foundation. The workshops have covered topics such as oral history interviewing techniques, digital audio recording, and oral history preservation and access, and have been led by experienced oral historians, including Studs Terkel, Alex Haley, and Doris Kearns Goodwin.

● Membership_and_Chapters

The Oral History Association has a diverse membership, which includes oral historians from institutions such as the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, and Smithsonian Institution. The association has chapters in various regions, including the Mid-Atlantic Regional Oral History Association and the Western Regional Oral History Association, which provide opportunities for members to network and share their research. The organization has also collaborated with other associations, including the American Historical Association, Organization of American Historians, and Society of American Archivists, to promote the field of oral history and support the work of oral historians. The association's members have included notable figures such as Dwight D. Eisenhower, Harry S. Truman, and John F. Kennedy, and have worked on projects such as the September 11 Oral History Project and Civil Rights Oral History Project.

Category:Historical societies