The Archive of Us
Creating Community

by C. L. Stambush

LISTENING TO COWORKERS reminisce about New Harmony at a potluck Christmas lunch in 2023, reminded Heidi TaylorCaudill of family dinners. Growing up, Taylor-Caudill, who serves as Collections and Community Engagement Manager for USI Historic New Harmony, heard older relatives share their memories and stories of life in Eastern Kentucky during the Great Depression that bonded her to them. Now she wondered, could a program centered on listening to people talk about their memories of a place be educational and strengthen the community's ties?

The idea, known as social objects theory, is the concept of using objects to spark discussion and interaction among people. Taylor-Caudill decided to develop a program, titled Talking History, using items from Historic New Harmony's collection and items people bring with them. "When I'm in the collection, I look for photos and objects that I think will set off people's memories from their own lives."

Taylor-Caudill, who earned a bachelor's degree in art history and a master's in library science, calls the talks "gatherings," and the first was held in February 2024 in the basement of Black Lodge Coffee Roasters in New Harmony. At first, she was unsure if there was an interest in the event. As the hour neared for the program to begin and no one had arrived, she started second guessing the idea. "It was almost like one of those sad stories where nobody shows up, but it turned out they were all upstairs getting coffee," she said, noting the program continues to grow in attendance.

"At Historic New Harmony, we are trying to work on community development. I really think hearing the stories of ordinary people can teach you a lot about history and community [as well as] empathy and being neighborly." 

For future Talking History events visit: https://www.usi.edu/hnh/programs/talking-history