Last weekend we kicked off our Dallas Neighborhood Stories series to collect and archive community histories in partnership with the Dallas Public Library. Held at the Dallas West Branch Library, the history harvest was an effort to digitize photos, documents, and other personal artifacts as well as collect and oral histories about West Dallas.

Folks from around the community came with their personal artifacts for preservation and several residents also opted to share their oral histories in a film interview. We loved seeing old letters, photographs, yearbooks, and other keepsakes from the area being preserved for future generations. Memorabilia from Oak Cliff’s 1940s women’s bowling league were among the treasures. These objects and first-person narratives are so valuable in preserving the history of this rapidly-changing neighborhood. These items will be available for public access through the Dallas Public Library.

Thanks to everyone who participated -- residents, volunteers, and staff alike. We are looking forward to adding to the work we began last weekend and working with residents of West Dallas to archive their histories.

If you are looking to contribute artifacts to be scanned by the library please contact the Dallas Public Library by calling (214) 670-1433 or email genealogy@dallaslibrary.org for more information on how you can scan your documents or contribute your history to the public archives.
If you are interested in sharing an oral history to be filmed please contact Lizzie MacWillie by calling 214-252-2900 or lizzie@bcworkshop.org to set-up an appointment to record your story.

This project has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human endeavor. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this project do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

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