The Arrow Rock Oral History Project is a community project, sponsored by History Speaks! LLC, to capture and preserve the stories of current and former residents of Arrow Rock, Missouri. Much is known about Arrow Rock’s past, thanks to local newspapers, diaries, extensive record-keeping by our predecessors, and the work of professional researchers–most notably, Michael Dickey for his book Arrow Rock: Crossroads of the Missouri Frontier. Unfortunately, today’s computerized, social-media driven culture puts our generation’s stories at risk. Many of us chronicle our daily lives on Facebook and other platforms. When those accounts are deleted, that information vanishes.
Participation in the Arrow Rock Oral History Project is completely voluntary but anyone who has lived in or near Arrow Rock, whether they are old-timers or newcomers, is encouraged to participate.
All materials collected through the Arrow Rock Oral History Project will be made available digitally through History Speaks! LLC. Paper and/or digital copies will be offered to Friends of Arrow Rock, Arrow Rock State Historic Site, and the State Historical Society of Missouri. All participants will receive a digital copy of their own questionnaires and interviews.
The Arrow Rock Oral History Project is a gift from History Speaks! to the community. There is no fee for participation other than the price of postage if you want your questionnaires and interview transcripts mailed to you.
Your participation in the project begins with a questionnaire. These questions will help provide preliminary information that will give us a head start for the follow-up interviews conducted by Sandy Selby, owner of History Speaks!, and other project volunteers. (If you’re interested in volunteering with this project, let Sandy know. Interview training will be provided.) The questionnaire requests contact information that will be used to reach you for the follow-up interview. This personal information will not be shared or included in the materials made publicly available.
If you prefer to complete the questionnaire on paper, contact Sandy to request a printed copy.
Although there are no specific plans for a publication using these materials, it’s a possibility. There’s a question in the survey where you can opt in or out of sharing your interviews for use in future publications.
Ready to write your name in Arrow Rock history? Start with the questionnaire below! (Or follow this link if the questionnaire does not appear below: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/23PY7RM )