Project Memories: Preserving History

Project Memories is a dedicated effort to preserve first hand accounts of the past for future generations.

This is a volunteer effort sponsored by the Stoughton WI Historical Society and primarily the result of the dedicated work of Kathy Thode and her husband George.

Local senior residents are interviewed about their childhood, youth and teen years in or around Stoughton. These personal accounts provide an invaluable insight into a history few books expound upon. Though admittedly biased by personal perspective, these narrations also express the individual feelings and temperament of the moment.

Documented with both pen & paper, and tape recorder, the story formats are blended together into a cohesive historical accounting as they are transcribed into a computer record.
Before finalizing, the person originally interviewed has the opportunity to review, edit and augment their story. Once finalized, a copy is provided to the originator and two copies are kept in the Stoughton Museum’s permanent files.

Video interviews are also being added to the collection. These videos are shown periodically on the Stoughton Channel 12 local cable network and may, in the future, be incorporated into the museum’s display.

Over the past several years there have been over 50 audio interviews plus a half dozen video conversations. A number of accounts have also been contributed by persons now living in other parts of the country who were once Stoughton residents

The long range plan is to compile a booklet, or book, to permanently preserve these accounts and make them available to the public at large.

Anyone interested contributing their notes or being interviewed can contact: George and Kathy Thode, 873-9851 or send your memories to: 1124 Hwy 51 and 138, Stoughton, WI 53589.

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