10/13/2026
More than 100 oral history interviews documenting the experiences, memories, and community histories of Black Hoosiers are now accessible through the Indiana Landmarks Black Heritage Preservation Program’s growing digital oral history collection. The initiative is supported by a $100,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation, conducted in collaboration with the Indiana University Center for Rural Engagement.
Working with local partners and volunteers, Indiana Landmarks Black Heritage Preservation Program has conducted oral history harvests in seven Indiana communities—Clarksville, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Lafayette, Princeton, Vincennes, and Washington—recording more than 100 interviews to date. During these community-based events, residents are invited to share their personal experiences, family histories, and perspectives through recorded interviews.
The resulting collection is preserved and accessible through Indiana Memory, a digital archive maintained by the Indiana State Library. The archive also serves as a gateway to oral history collections created by other organizations, creating a centralized resource for researchers, students, genealogists, and anyone interested in Indiana’s Black history.
“Oral histories are the first step toward fulfilling our mission to uncover, document, preserve, and restore Black heritage sites and history,” said Eunice Trotter, director of the Black Heritage Preservation Program. “These oral histories ensure that the voices, memories, and contributions of Black Hoosiers remain part of Indiana’s shared story.”
The oral history project was launched with support from the Indiana University Center for Rural Engagement, which provided recording equipment, student interviewers, and internship support. Today, Indiana Landmarks Black Heritage Preservation Program continues the work by providing equipment and training to volunteer community groups that organize local oral history harvests.
Read more: https://www.indianalandmarks.org/2026/10/indiana-landmarks-makes-more-than-100-black-hoosier-oral-histories-available/
📸: Lafayette Tippecanoe County Black Heritage Collective
