"This partnership between the University of Connecticut and Connecticut Humanities, empowered by TheirStory, has not only transformed oral history projects statewide but also underscored the significance of sustained support for community-based historical research and education." - Professor Fiona Vernal, University of Connecticut

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Press Release Link: Collaboration with CT Humanities, CT Museum of Culture and History, UConn Transforms How CT Stories are Collected, Shared

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Revolutionizing Oral History Projects

TheirStory, a platform discovered by Fiona Vernal during her pursuit of structured public history initiatives, has become instrumental in supporting collaborative oral history endeavors. Through a partnership grant with Connecticut Humanities, TheirStory has facilitated access to its versatile platform for numerous projects since December 2023. These projects, numbering 39 to date, span from graduate student initiatives to community-based organizations, showcasing the platform's adaptability and impact in diverse settings.

TheirStory, a platform discovered by Fiona Vernal during her pursuit of structured public history initiatives, has become instrumental in supporting collaborative oral history endeavors. Through a partnership grant with Connecticut Humanities, TheirStory has facilitated access to its versatile platform for numerous projects since December 2023. These projects, numbering 39 to date, span from graduate student initiatives to community-based organizations, showcasing the platform's adaptability and impact in diverse settings.

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Fostering Community Engagement Through Oral Narratives

TheirStory's impact is exemplified through two notable projects highlighted by Fiona Vernal. In Enfield, collaboration with the Historical Society documented the oral histories of African American families, illuminating legacies like that of the Robeson family. In Bloomfield, diverse community members came together to share their stories, facilitated by Vernal, with TheirStory aiding in transcription, editing, and archiving, leading to an impactful exhibition. This partnership between the University of Connecticut and Connecticut Humanities, empowered by TheirStory, has not only transformed oral history projects statewide but also underscored the significance of sustained support for community-based historical research and education.

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Empowering Collaborative History: The EPOCH Program

Fiona Vernal, a professor at the University of Connecticut, initiated the "Engaged, Public, Oral, and Community Histories (EPOCH)" program to foster collaborative historical inquiry. This program, aimed at integrating students, faculty, and community organizations, seeks to delve into specific historical themes through various training activities and deliverables.

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