Oral History Project

The Oral History Project
Although the stories of Weeksville are primarily about the past, many individuals with a connection to the history of Weeksville are still alive, some residing in the local area. Our Oral History Project builds upon the oral record of historic Weeksville through first-hand testimonies. These include audio and written documentation of the earlier excavation, the restoration of the houses and the community of volunteers who worked with archaeologists, historians, preservationists and others as custodians of the site in the earlier years of rediscovery.

To add to the story, we are beginning to systematically identify and interview individuals associated with historic Weeksville—relatives of historic figures, former tenants of the Hunterfly Road Houses, and long-time neighborhood residents and elders. We are continuing to document interviews through video and audiotape, drawing upon these materials for tours, exhibitions and future programming.

We partnered with StoryCorps , a national initiative to document everyday history and the unique stories of America, to collect the stories of Weeksville in December 2006, when the StoryCorps mobile recording booth ended its national tour at the Hunterfly Road Houses. The booth’s first ever venture into Brooklyn yielded eight days of recordings that are now part of the Weeksville Collection and the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

In discovering these memories, we continue the stories of Weeksville. Thus, this project is ongoing, as we learn of new interviewees. Become part of the story. If you have a memory of Weeksville, please share it with us here!