StoryCorps inspires people to record each other's stories in sound. A StoryCorps interview is a son asking his mother about her childhood; a young woman asking her grandfather about his first love; or a couple reminiscing about their 1st or 50th anniversary.
StoryCorps has a profound impact, providing a way to weave our personal stories into the fabric of American history, and allowing participants to share their stories with friends and family for years to come. The interviews recorded, with the permission of participants, are preserved at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress for future generations to hear. StoryCorps Milwaukee stories will also be archived at the Milwaukee Public Library, and excerpts of some interviews may be broadcast on public radio.
WUWM has partnered with StoryCorps, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), and the Milwaukee Public Library to present these stories and interviews on WUWM's weekday magazine program Lake Effect. Selected segments will also air nationally on NPR's Morning Edition.
Community Partnerships
StoryCorps is a project of Sound Portraits Productions, in partnership with National Public Radio and the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.
Local partners include the Milwaukee Public Library, UWM's Center on Age & Community, DocUWM and WUWM 89.7 FM. Funders of StoryCorps Milwaukee include the Argosy Foundation, the Forest County Potawatomi Foundation, the Brico Fund, LLC, and the George and Julie Mosher Family Foundation.
In addition, UWM is partnering with several area organizations to ensure that Milwaukeeans from all walks of life have the opportunity to learn about StoryCorps and to record their stories. Outreach Partners include Milwaukee LINKS, Interfaith Older Adult Programs, the Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, Milwaukee Jewish Federation, and the United Community Center.
StoryCorps Milwaukee Outpost
In the StoryCorps recording booth, participants record in pairs - oftentimes friends or loved ones - and one interviews the other. A trained facilitator guides the participants through the 40-minute interview process and handles the technical aspects of the recording. Participants walk away with a CD of their interview. With the permission of participants, a second copy will be sent to The American Folklife Center (AFC) where it becomes part of a high quality digital archive. A donation of $10 is suggested, but no one will be turned away.
If you want to record an interview but are unable to visit a StoryBooth, we encourage you to do-it-yourself. Learn how to here.
