The Oral History Materials collection contains interviews conducted and acquired by the Oral History Unit of the State Archives of North Carolina. Oral Historian John Horan and other trained oral history practitioners collaborate with individuals and communities across the state to gather and highlight the unique lived experiences of North Carolinians. The State Archives strives to make these conversations available for generations to come by capturing and preserving audiovisual recordings and publishing transcriptions of each conversation when possible. 

This website contains descriptions and, where possible, transcriptions of conversations. Visit the Internet Archive to listen to recordings from this collection. 

Oral histories are continually in development. In addition to adding materials, we make corrections and add new information on an ongoing basis. If you find any errors, please contact us at archives@dncr.nc.gov or digital.info@dncr.nc.gov.  

 

She Changed the World

She Changed the World: NC Women Breaking Barriers highlights North Carolina women past and present who have achieved amazing things to help make the world a better place. Topics include activism, education, culture, entrepreneurship, government, sports, and STEM. The oral history project is one component of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ She Changed the World: NC Women Breaking Barriers campaign. 

American Indian Heritage Commission

The North Carolina American Indian Heritage Commission and the State Archives of North Carolina have teamed up to collect oral histories from tribal communities across the state. These interviews cover a variety of topics, such as former American Indian schools, military service, economic development, and much more. Tribal communities' strong storytelling traditions help connect the past, present, and future within tribes and families. This project helps cultivate a richer understanding of these communities and traditions. 

Facing East 158 Voices

The Facing East 158 Voices oral history project includes interviews that capture the stories, lives, and civic concerns of people in the small town of Macon and in the surrounding Warren County community. The collection focuses on community contributions of interviewees' ancestors, with a primary goal of assisting Mount Zion Baptist Church in discovering and documenting ancestors who are buried at the church's cemetery. 


This collection contains content that may be harmful or difficult to view and listen to, including language that reflects outdated, biased, offensive views as well as descriptions of conflict and racism. 

School Integration and Desegregation

The School Integration and Desegregation oral history project includes interviews that provide insight into people's experiences with school desegregation after Brown v. Board of Education (1954), with a focus on African Americans' perspectives.

 

Interviewees include former students, teachers, and lawmakers from across the state who experienced school desegregation firsthand. They share their stories of attending all-Black schools, integrating schools as a student, and witnessing race relations in North Carolina before, during, and after desegregation. Other topics include differences between segregated Black and white schools, and differences between integration and desegregation. 

Conversations in Black

Coming soon!

 

The Conversations in Black: African American History and Heritage, Greensboro, NC oral history project contains interviews that highlight the lives and genealogy of individuals who grew up or resided in the predominantly Black South Benbow Road neighborhood of Greensboro. The collection is intended to help preserve the neighborhood and city’s history, particularly during the Civil Rights Era.