Concerning Oral Histories:

Dear Visitor,

The Oral History is a relatively new form of writing. Oral Histories are formulated to preserve the past of the average man’s daily triumphs, which have, thus far, gone untold. Through these oral histories one can see how war, poverty, prejudice, and depression were a part of everyday life, and how life has changed in the last fifty years.

To prepare an oral history one must be dedicated. The oral historian must select a person to interview, conduct the interview on tape, transcribe the interview word-for-word, and, finally, edit and organize the information garnered into a form which gives the reader the impression that he is hearing and not reading what the subject has to say.

I get annoyed when a movie, television show, book, or website makes an allusion to Kansas as an example of ignorance or a vast wasteland. Unfortunately, people believe these references, and it is not just people unfamiliar with our state. Tragically, I discovered that most of my students had no real sense of this area's history and heritage. They did not know such noteworthy Americans as Gordon Parks, author and Life magazine photographer; George Washington Carver, teacher and inventor; Harry Sinclair of Sinclair Oil; James Tate, Pulitzer Prize poet; Emmett Kelly, clown; or actors like Gary Busey or Don Johnson came from this area. They were unaware that this four-state area, surrounding Pittsburg, is rich with famous personalities as well as wonderfully entertaining and educational places to visit. So, I decided it was time to put aside some of the myths and let my students discover their rich heritage; or as the business world would call it, to make use of “market opportunities.”

I feel that there are many benefits to creating this web site, but specifically I hope my students will:

• Have a connection to the world outside their school; and come to appreciate this area and the people in it
• Provide others with the resources to become more familiar with our area.
• Continue to add to this site each year (we hope that you visit us often).

We would like to thank all of those who helped with the work and especially those who gave of their time and self to be interviewed. Through these oral histories let memory live forever and remind us of our heritage.

Kathleen Owsley
Instructor