Gathering History

A history harvest is an event where people from the community come with items representing the topic of collection.  In this case the St. Mary's Strip.  This could be flyers, menus, schedules, letters, press kits, news stories, photographs, audio/visual recordings, and 3-D objects.  

In most cases we would scan material and return the originals to the owner.  However there may be some cases where the owner would like to donate the original, which is awesome too.  If requested, people participating in an history harvest will received scanned copies of the items shared. 

 People sharing original works do not give up any copyright or performance rights that they may hold.  By voluntarily participating in the history harvests, people understand that Tex Pop and the St. Mary's Strip History Project may create the following from items you share:

•  promotional materials

•  educational materials

•  additional digital derivatives

•  audio and/or video clips

• digital and physical history exhibits

•  social media posts

• public programming

Oral history is a way to collect memories, experiences, and personal commentaries of historical significance through recorded interviews. 

Typically the recordings of the interviews are preserved and placed within a library or archives for the public and research.  Interviews will be cared for by the Special Collections and Archives of Trinity University and we will also share interviews via this public website we are working on.  

Interviews can be done in the comfort of your own home, but we can also record in a different setting.   In this long-form interview (typically 1-3 hours), the interview will largely center around the narrator’s experience with the St. Mary’s Strip.  In order to build context for the narrator’s experience, the interviewer will ask questions that lead up to their relationship with the strip, such as the narrator’s upbringing.  

The narrator has the right to not answer any questions asked, and can predetermine what can be discussed and what can’t.  The narrator and interviewer will work together to establish these guidelines before the interview.   If the project team and/or the narrator feel more time is needed, an additional interview appointment will be scheduled.  

The narrator will receive an audio copy of the recording. By voluntarily participating in oral history interviews and storytelling events, people understand that TexPop and the St. Mary's Strip History Project may create the following from reflections you share:

• •  promotional materials

  •  educational materials

  •  additional digital derivatives

  •  audio and/or video clips

  • digital and physical history exhibits

  •  social media posts

  • public programming

Interested?  We could use your help!  We are interested in speaking to anyone and everyone about their experience with the St. Mary's Strip. From the positive, the negative, and the in between. Are you willing to share?  If so, please fill out this narrator form.