Museum seeks Civil Rights-era experiences

DuPage County residents have an opportunity to share stories of their Civil Rights-era experiences as part of the Voices of DuPage project of the DuPage County Historical Museum and the Wheaton Public Library.

Interviews will be conducted and recorded from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at the DuPage County Historical Museum auditorium, 102 E. Wesley St., Wheaton.

These accounts will be included in Voices of DuPage, a collaborative oral history initiative between DuPage museums, libraries and historical organizations. DuPage County Historical Museum has partnered locally with the Wheaton Public Library.

"In our community, the DuPage County Historical Museum and the Wheaton Public Library have chosen the Civil Rights era as this year's theme," said Michelle Podkowa, museum manager and educator. "Any memories a resident experienced during that time is relevant to the larger story of DuPage County and the nation."

Such experiences might include segregation, desegregation, boycotts, sit-ins, the March on Washington, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr. and any other aspect of the period.

Podkowa hopes to build a versatile collection of poignant stories for posterity.

"The greatest part about Voices of DuPage is we will have these oral histories in our collection, available for exhibits and educational events to use as teaching tools," she said.

Museum Curator Ashley Downing believes a community's memories help shape its future.

"I think Voices of DuPage is a wonderful way of tying the community together," she said. "It not only links individuals with museums and libraries, but also with each other. Many people have a shared memory, and we want to know what that is in DuPage and preserve it for the future."

Guests who can't make it on Sept. 10 have a final chance to preserve their Civil Rights-era experiences with Voices of DuPage from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8.

To learn more about the museum and interviews for Voices of DuPage, call (630) 510-4941, visit dupagemuseum.org, or stop in at 102 E. Wesley St., Wheaton.