Monthly Archives: June 2018

The 1968 Oral History Project Launches

Aerial view of a group of protestors in the middle of the street.

In this photo from the 1968 Riot Collection in UMKC’s LaBudde Special Collections, protestors march down Vine at Flora and Paseo.

On April 4, 1968, in the midst of nationwide social and political turmoil, Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated. On April 9, the day of his funeral, Kansas City (MO) Public School officials chose not to cancel classes. In protest, students from Lincoln, Manuel, and Central High Schools marched from school to school and finally to City Hall. They were followed by police officers dressed in riot gear. Though it is unclear what prompted police officers to begin firing tear gas on the crowd, the confrontation between police and protestors escalated. By that night, the demonstration had given way to chaotic riots that lasted four days. Many buildings around 31st Street and Prospect burned, protestors and officers were injured, and six African American citizens were killed. The 1968 riots were a painful moment in Kansas City’s history, but they also raised questions and launched conversations about racial tensions and social disparities—conversations that continue today.

(For a more detailed account of these events, see Joel Rhodes’ article “It Finally Happened Here” in the April 1997 issue of the Missouri Historical Review.)

The 50th anniversary of these events this spring prompted articles and documentaries (like this one by KSHB), panels (like the “’68: The Kansas City Race Riots Then and Now” held at the Kansas City Public Library), and exhibits (like this one at the Central Branch of the Kansas City Public Library). KCUR drew attention to the collection in UMKC’s LaBudde Special Collections, and called for help identifying the subjects of the photographs. The unnamed faces and unclear contents of those photos reflected a crucial problem: we needed to do more to preserve people’s memories and perspectives. Photographs and official reports are important parts of the historical record, but so, too, are the recollections of the people who participated.

Black and white photo of a line of police officers wearsing gas masks. Two of the police officers look at the camera.

In this photograph from the 1968 Riot Collection in UMKC’s LaBudde Special Collections, police officers line up outside of City Hall wearing gas masks and carrying billy clubs.

To correct this problem, KCUR’s Director of Community Engagement Ron Jones, Miller Nichols Library Advancement Director Nicole Leone, and UMKC Assistant History Professor Sandra Enriquez teamed up to launch the 1968 Oral History Project, an effort to interview Kansas Citians who experienced or participated in the 1968 demonstrations. Their goal is not only to gather recollections of the protests, but also to understand the broader context of racial tensions and social problems in Kansas City before and after 1968. I was invited to join the project as a graduate assistant.

At our first recording session, held at the Lucile Bluford Branch of the Kansas City Public Library in May, I watched Dr. Enriquez conduct three interviews. Though I am no stranger to interviewing—my background is in newspaper journalism—I was grateful for the opportunity to observe an oral history interview. There are subtle but important differences in the historian’s approach to interviews: Where journalists are focused on the details of a specific event, historians want to pull back and get a bigger picture, understanding the context that motivated the interviewee and influenced their perspective. Reporters are often pressed for time, keeping interviews tightly focused, asking questions that they hope will provoke clear answers and interesting quotes, and focusing on how the interview relates to the story at hand. Oral historians have the luxury of more time to follow the subject down interesting trails of thought. Perhaps even more important, oral historians do not always have a clear goal for the interview, except to preserve the subject’s responses. As a result, historians cover more terrain—I find myself wondering what a future historian will curse me for not asking about during my interviews.

I conducted our second round of interviews on Saturday, June 16, at the Southeast Branch of the Kansas City Public Library. My greatest fear was that, despite my backup batteries and backup recorders, I would run into some technological problem. All went smoothly, though, and I was able to settle in to listening and asking questions. In a future post, I’ll talk more about the interview process, some of the things I am wrestling with in my role as an oral historian, and the challenges of conducting oral histories. For now, though, I will say that it is fascinating to sit and really listen to a variety of people share their overlapping but different stories. Some themes emerge, some of the same names and places come up again and again, but each person also brings a unique perspective, shaped by their families, their experiences, and by their lives after these events.

This is my first foray into oral history, and I am hooked. Maybe it’s the former journalist in me, but the opportunity to engage in a conversation about people’s memories is a powerful experience. Not only do I believe that oral histories complement existing archival sources like photographs and documents, but studying oral history has prompted me to rethink the historical sources I encounter. We often fall into the trap of taking written sources at face value, as moments somehow frozen in time. As I listen to how seamlessly our interview subjects connect the events of 1968 to the social and political struggles facing our country today, I’m struck with the knowledge that all of our experiences and memories are influenced by what came before, and will continue to impact the events that follow. Examining the complicated interaction of context, continuity, and change is what gives history its thrill.

We have conducted six interviews so far. We are hoping to interview far more to gain as much understanding as possible, and one of my jobs is to find additional interview subjects. So please: If you or someone you know would be willing to share your experiences of the 1968 protests and riots in Kansas City, I would be grateful to hear and record your stories. Please reach out to me at kbcm97@mail.umkc.edu. You can also find me on Twitter at @katebcarp.

 

Working as an Education Intern at the National World War 1 Museum and Memorial

Hello, my name is Carolyn Kovar and I am a Summer Education Intern at the National World War 1 Museum and Memorial. Although there has been lots of new things to learn, I have loved my first two weeks working there. My supervisors have done an excellent job both listening and responding to what my fellow intern and I are interested in and what we wish to achieve during our eight week internship.

Our primary roles as Education Interns have fallen into two central categories. First, working on projects, primarily the lesson plans that the museum creates to aid teachers when teaching about the First World War. For these assignments, our supervisors make notes of minor issues with the lesson plans before they are published. These issues we, the interns, go in and fix. Issues include anything from switching photos to those from our collection, to fixing incomplete bibliographies or improper citations. The other job for the interns is giving educational tours of the Museum to various school groups. In order to do this we have been learning about the Museum itself, it’s collections, and the history of the building. This has been daunting, but very interesting.

My favorite part of the Internship has been getting to shadow various tours conducted by volunteers or staff members for groups from Kindergartners to Seniors. Each volunteer or staff member that leads a tour gives their own unique spin to the common story. Listening to the tales, trivia, or facts that each member brings has been delightful. Through reading numerous tours I was able to create my own guide, so when the time came to give my first tour I felt prepared and excited. After leading a class of charming, well-behaved kindergartners, I was eager to do more tours.

Already, I have learned so much through this internship. It has been a delight to meet the various faculty members at the National World War 1 Museum- from Social Media Manager to Senior Curator- and to learn their various job descriptions. Watching how their team works helps me better understand what part I would like to play in my future museum career.

Job Opportunity: Collections Assistant-Special Collections and Museums at Truman State University

Collections Assistant – Special Collections and Museums

Overview:  Under the direction of the Associate Dean of Libraries for Special Collections and Museums, this position will assist with collections care, exhibition production, and facilitation of educational outreach in the Special Collections and Museums department of Pickler Memorial Library. 10 months, 40 hours/week position with full benefits.

Responsibilities:  Ensure proper collections care for the Special Collections and Manuscripts, University Archives and Museum collections; Conduct inventory control for departmental collections; Coordinate the processing of archival collections and assist with the preparation of finding aids; Research and Catalog Artifacts; Perform condition assesments and prepare condition reports for material; Photograph/digitize collection material as needed; Assist with exhibit production at Pickler Memorial Library, as well as at the Ruth W. Towne Museum and Visitor Center; Assist with educational programs, presentations, and departmental collaborations; Supervise and train student workers/interns; Provide reference assistance as needed; Work holiday rotations and outside of regular Monday-Friday schedule as needed; and perform other duties as assigned

Required qualifications: 

  • Education: High School Diploma or GED and some college coursework
  • Skills:  Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills.  Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within an academic instiution.  Familiarity with informational resources and ability to conduct research.  Excellent accuracy and attention to detail.  Dexterity to handle fragile items; physical ability to move around in small enclosed work areas accessible only by narrow stairways and to lift, manipulate and carry heavy books, boxes and artifacts.  Must be competent using Microsoft Office and have the ability to learn new software

Preferred qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in history, studio art, art history, anthropology, or related field
  • Experience working in a special collections, museum, or archive setting
  • Familiarity with collections care and conservation methodology
  • Previous working experience with PastPerfect and/or other database management software packages
  • Familiarity with digital cameras and photo editing software

To Apply:  Submit a cover letter, application, resume, transcripts, and contact information for three references online or to:

Human Resources
Truman State University
McClain Hall 101
100 E. Normal Ave.
Kirksville, MO 63501

Any questions may be directed to Human Resources at hrstaff@truman.edu or 660-785-4031.

Review of applications will begin July 2, 2018 and continue until position is filled.

Submit Application Materials Online

Job Opportunity: Weekend House Manager at the John Wornall House

The Weekend Manager at the John Wornall House is primarily responsible for giving public tours, opening and closing the Museum, providing support to volunteer docents and administrative support to staff. This is a part-time (11-hours/week) hourly, non-exempt position that reports to the Director of Public Programming and Events. Core hours are Saturdays and Sundays, flexible hours depending on the event schedule. Museum background preferred.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Perform the regular procedures to open and close the House, preparing it for public tours.
  • Give public tours as needed and provide support to volunteer docents.
  • Participate in group visits such as school and scouting field trips by giving tours and implementing program activities.
  • Access the database to look up and enter data for members and donors.
  • Answer the phones and take messages.
  • Process admissions, gift shop sales, and other payments such as program and event tickets and memberships.
  • Prepare and reconcile the cash box.
  • Complete administrative projects as assigned by the Executive Director, and the Director of Public Programming and Events.
  • Assist the Volunteer Manager in recruiting, training, scheduling, supervising, and recognizing volunteer docents for public tours.
  • Assist the Volunteer Manager in the development an annual appreciation program for volunteers.
  • Assist the Volunteer Manager in scheduling group tours and field trips and securing the volunteers and staff as needed.
  • Assist the Director of Public Programming and Events with curriculum development for camps (i.e. summer, winter, spring break)

Other Responsibilities:

  • Maintain an inviting and presentable environment of the facilities and grounds at all times.
  • Be available to work with staff on educational and fundraising events for the Wornall/Majors House Museums (WMHM).
  • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

  • Commitment to the mission, vision, and strategic direction of the WMHM.
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to work both independently and as a team player.
  • Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to multitask effectively and work flexibly and productively.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills including outstanding aptitude in customer service.
  • Experience in museums and/or nonprofits.
  • Willingness to foster the mission and values of Wornall/Majors by being an active, passionate member of our staff.

Compensation: Pay rate $10.00 per hour.

To apply send resume to:
Kerrie Nichols, Executive Director
director@wornallmajors.org