Local residents will have a chance to tell their stories of living in Illinois as part of Illinois Voices 250 initiative. To commemorate the 250th year of our nation’s independence, Illinois Humanities and the Illinois 250 Commission out of Chicago is traveling the state to collect conversations to create a time capsule of recordings. The recordings will be archived in the Library of Congress.
Gabrielle Lyon is the executive director of Illinois Humanities and serves as chair of the Illinois 250 Commission.”People are really glad to have a chance to tell the stories of where they’re from,” Lyon says. “It doesn’t mean that every story is a happy fairy tale. It means that they feel like where they live and their experience matters, the experience of their grandparents matter, and they want those stories to be heard.”
The Jacksonville Journal-Courier along with a representative from Illinois Voices 250 will be hosting a Community Recording Day at the newspapers office for those wishing to participate. Lyon says she expects some good stories from Jacksonville residents given the towns proud history. “It is the 250th anniversary of this country. There’s no better place in the state of Illinois to connect with that history than Jacksonville. You have an incredible Main Street, an incredible museum, a public art project was awarded by the state, its included in the Illinois passport.” Lyon added that she’s proud of the work that Jacksonville has done to commemorate America 250.
Lyon says for those who can’t attend a recording session, there is a DIY option on the website where residents can record on their own time. The Illinois Voices 250 recording session at the Journal Courier will be Friday July 17th, from 3-6pm at their office on West State. Learn more about Illinois Voices 250 and how to submit your own recording by visiting IL250.org.