Historical Preservation
Overview
The majority of our historical preservation work has been focused on the collection of oral histories. Essentially interviews, these provide a crucial view into where the Arab American community is today and how it has changed over time, especially through the lens of immigrants. Each subject shares a unique perspective, piecing together the STL Arab story.
What is an oral history?
Oral histories are based on the idea that our stories are passed down through words. Through an interview, an individual’s history can be captured in a way that written accounts cannot convey. Oral histories allow communities with few records, like the Arab American one, to preserve their identity in an easily accessible way.
