Preserving Historic Closter
Check out our most recent IM Histories project! It was created in conjunction with Banisch Associates, Inc. in an effort to create a visual guide to Closter, NJ’s Historic District and to help convey the importance of preserving the area’s 300 year history.
See for yourself, just click on the image!
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Oral History projects provide the community members with a better
understanding of their area’s past by seeing it through the eyes of
their elders. They enable historical events to be brought to life by
adding color in the form of stories, emotions, and personal
experiences. Oral Histories enhance existing research done by the
participants and bring new life to any community project. IM Histories
provides a solution to one of the largest concerns of Oral Historians,
how to preserve their findings to be used by future generations.
What is IM Histories?
IM stands for Interactive Mapping. Interactive Mapping uses data to
identify all sorts of information from historical points and locations,
to geographical points and locations, political information, tax
information, crime information and much more.
IM Histories provides a community a way to record its historical
information by connecting school students with senior citizens by using
technology to connect people and their communities through mapping,
public participation and civic involvement. This activity will give
students the opportunity to get a feel of history through the eyes of
elders. Students will spend quality time with senior citizens to engage
in discussions about historical sites, natural features, restaurants,
etc. within their community.
How does it work?
Community members are given digital cameras to create video and photo
essays to document their interviews with older community members. IM
(Interactive Mapping) Histories provides a user friendly program that
will organize and display their historical data. This site can be
shared with friends, family and the community. The recordings will be
unique historical documents that the community can enjoy for many years
to follow. Additionally, pictures borrowed from local seniors and a
variety of other artifacts are combined with the videos to create a
vivid depiction of the area’s history. By using different types of
media, we are able to create a rich and useful map for any area of the
world. These maps can be accessed and updated as often as participants
want.