Rossland Memories Oral History Project: What is it?
The Rossland Memories Project is our ongoing oral history interview project that seeks to collect, store, and share memories of longtime Rosslanders for future generations. Volunteers began the “Rossland Memories” project in 2013, conducting over 14 interviews through 2014 and 2015.
In 2019, RMDC staff started working on the project with the volunteers, and since then, they have conducted over 40 more interviews and planned to continue to make this project a priority. There are still so many more stories to be told, gathered and shared! RMDC staff are trying to adapt our protocols to carry on with this important project.
If you have an oldtimer in your life with stories to tell, consider being the interviewer! The RMDC has an audio recorder you can borrow and Museum staff will teach you how to use it, and provide guidance on how to conduct an interview. Otherwise, please let us know if there's someone you know of whom we should interview when safe to do so.
The best part about this project is that it is a repository of stories of Rossland as told by Rosslanders. So far, we have gathered stories about early skiing and the development of the ski hill, firefighting, the railroads, schools, the hospital, past buildings and businesses, social events, and more! This collection of oral histories is an excellent resource base for research, exhibit development, community interest, knowledge-keeping, and audio/visual components for various Museum presentations. At the RMDC, we believe that collecting these stories is so important. We are the repository of community history for Rossland, held in trust on behalf of the community, including documentary/photographic and oral histories and this project is adding to this collection.
We have had a great time so far recording these interviews and it is an enjoyable experience for the interviewee and the interviewer.
If you would like to assist with this project, please reach out to our Research and Archives Department - archives@rosslandmuseum.ca
*At times, Rossland Memories interviewees use inappropriate and derogatory terminology to explain place-names and nicknames. The RMDC does not intend to cause offence by using this terminology within its historical context.
Contribute your own memories to the Rossland Memories Project:
The form below will email us your message. If you prefer to speak to us directly or have other questions or comments about this page, please call (250) 362-7722 or email the archives directly at archives@rosslandmuseum.ca.