Sharing Stories Apr21

Sharing Stories

The History Project aims to enable seniors and their families to build digital, interactive time capsules to not only preserve the past but also put it into context for future generations. The History Project (THP) co-founder Niles Lichtenstein, always imagined the steady presence of his father accompanying him on his first day at college. Yet when the day came and Lichtenstein crossed the threshold at Harvard Yard, he was alone; his father had passed away before high school graduation. Lichtenstein says in a THP video, “Although I felt his spirit with me, it was his words of wisdom and past experiences that I wanted. At that moment, I began to imagine a world where even if he wasn’t there, I could have access to his college experience in the History Project.” “I would find rich traces of who he was and the life he led things that would help me understand who I was and who I was to become.” And so began a personal project of archiving the souvenirs and memories of father to create a history able to encapsulate the man and preserve his contributions and connections. Out of this singular effort, the History Project was born. With the goal of simplifying the archival process, THP provides a framework able to collect and upload all manner of memorabilia and mementos, from music to photos to oral histories. Additionally, THP invites collaboration. Friends and family are encouraged to contribute their own thoughts and content. Through this intergenerational cooperation, an interwoven record of relationships and experiences is created, revealing a rich tapestry of the hopes, fears, and experience. THP’s lofty goals have sparked interest and over $2 million in funding from venture capitalists, pushing the platform from visualization to realization. As part of the...