Collecting Wartime Memories: The Veterans History Project

There are almost 19 million veterans living in the United States and we lose more than 1,500 every day.

Imagine the lost stories, memories, and lessons that could benefit this generation and those to come.

In 2000, the U.S. Congress created the Veterans History Project at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.

The Veterans History Project collects audio and video recorded interviews, as well as letters, diaries, photographs, and other personal documents, from veterans who have served in all wars, civilian volunteers, support staff, and war industry workers. Those eligible for the project are all military personnel from all ranks and all branches of service.

The Jackson County Historical Society has collected over 1,700 recorded interviews since 2003 and registered as an official “partner archive." These recordings are included in the Library of Congress’ national database and are available locally in the JCHS Archives and Research Library in the Truman Courthouse. 

Click Here to Download the list.

If you’re interested in obtaining a Veteran’s history, please reach out to our archivist at archivist@jchs.org or call 816-252-7454. Copies are available for a $20.00 donation.