It is the goal of the Liberal Arts Division and the History/Political Science Department to uphold and increase the high academic standards which are synonymous with Interlochen. One of the ways we are achieving this objective is with the Veterans Oral History Project, which began at the Interlochen Arts Academy in 2003 and is now a regular component of the World History program. Our students interview local veterans and submit the video recordings to the Library of Congress Folk Life Institute.

Read a Nov 22, 2003, Traverse City Record-Eagle article about the project.

We welcome your stories! Please let us know if you'd like to participate by sending an email to mccallbd@interlochen.org. Thank you!

Our World History students will interview any veteran who wishes to participate in this project. By recording the stories and remembrances of veterans who served their country and were also part of the Interlochen community, we are helping to preserve the proud history of this very special place, which has had a positive impact upon the lives of thousands of people around the world. The Veterans of Interlochen project is a simple yet important means of telling their stories of sacrifice, honor and duty through the shared experiences of many individuals. If you are a veteran and would like to participate in this project, please email Brian McCall at mccallbd@interlochen.org.

Objectives:

1. To record and catalog the stories and memories of Interlochen community members, including alumni of the Camp and the Academy, former and current faculty, staff, guest artists, parents and visitors who served their nation in the armed services or in other capacities during the last century.
2. To provide our students with the opportunity to meaningfully interact with members of an older generation, giving them both the benefit of hearing their experiences and acting as real historians, using standard methodology and practices.
3. To provide our institution a written and oral record of the service of our country rendered by members of the greater Interlochen community. Acknowledging and honoring such individuals should be one of our top priorities, as the opportunities to do are still available to us.
4. To send these interviews to the Library of Congress Folk Life Institute as a part of the national collection of veterans’ interviews the Institute is currently assembling.

See the project in action!