Oral history project

     One of the best ways to learn about a subject is to ask an expert.

     The Purpose of the Herr Memorial Library's oral history project, "Memories of Mifflinburg," is to preserve the heritage of the Borough of Mifflinburg and the surrounding rural area through digitally recorded and archived oral remembrances of the community's oldest members -- the people who lived history.

     Through these interviews the library is able to offer the Mifflinburg community a wide range of historical knowledge from distinctly personal perspectives.

     Not only facts, but also the voices and images of some of the people who helped shape the community's traditions are preserved for future generations.

     In early August 2004, the Herr Memorial Library received a Local History Grant of $4,650 from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to fund a special part of the library's oral history project called "Memories of Mifflinburg: Changes After World War II."

     The goal of this part of the project was to record the oral remembrances of four local people born during the early part of the 20th century who witnessed the many changes that took place in the community in the years following World War II.

     "Memories of Mifflinburg: Changes After World War II" was completed May 31, 2006, and has become the centerpiece of the library's larger oral history undertaking.

     The oral history project currently includes interviews with Marie Purnell Musser, Mary Eleanor Koons, Hannah Pauline Rotering, William R. Ruhl, William K. Kerstetter, Helen Jean Sterling Snook, and Helen Schnure Harter.

     The first public showing of an interview from the the oral history project took place during the Mifflinburg Heritage and Revitalization Association's Holiday House Tour in December 2004.

     Qualified interviewers and videographers are employed to work on the project.   Scott McVicar and his wife Kristin R. McVicar, of McVicar Videography in Lewisburg, PA, have recorded, edited, and produced the first seven interviews.  The final video product, which includes period music as well as supporting information, is in DVD format, although copies in VHS format may be requested.

     Erica L. Shames, editor and publisher of Susquehanna Life magazine, has interviewed most of the subjects for the oral history project based on biographical sketches provided by library staff.  She also has transcribed the interviews so that they can be offered in booklet form as non-circulating reference materials at the Herr Memorial Library.

     The booklets, as well as the DVDs, may be reviewed by the public in the library's upstairs Pennsylvania Room, where a television, DVD player, and headphones are available.   Copies of the interviews also are available to purchase in DVD and VHS format.

     The "Memories of Mifflinburg" oral history project is the only one of its kind in the area.  Time truly is running out for interview subjects who are in their 80s and 90s.   The library cannot afford to begin any new interviews until their cost is covered.

     Anyone who is interested in "adopting" a memory may do so by contacting the Herr Memorial Library's director at 570-966-0831 or at herr@herrlibrary.org

     The cost for a 2-hour interview is about $1,200, but the benefit is priceless.