Voices of the 250th

An Oral History of the U.S. Semiquincentennial in Princeton

All are invited to share recollections of the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976, observations on efforts to observe the 250th, and their hopes and aspirations for the future of the country.

As part of its award for the "Rev250: Examining the Semiquincentennial through a Jersey Lens" grant program, sponsored by the the New Jersey State Library and RevolutionNJ, library staff involved with the Voices of Princeton oral history initiative are collecting short-form interviews relating to the U.S. Semiquincentennial and its commemoration in Princeton and throughout the U.S. Visitors to the library are invited to share their recollections of the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976, their observations on the efforts to observe the 250th locally or beyond Princeton, and their hopes and aspirations for the future of the country. 

About the Project: "Listening for History: Resources for Engagement with the Voices of Princeton Initiative"

Voices of Princeton (VoP) is an oral history initiative by the Princeton Public Library and the Historical Society of Princeton that collects and shares stories from the local community. In honor of the 250th anniversary of the U.S., VoP will launch themed projects exploring the 1976 Bicentennial, the “unfinished revolution,” and youth perspectives on America’s future. The project will also expand access and engagement through mobile recording kits, improved transcription tools, a new podcast series, and public listening stations. These enhancements aim to preserve community history while fostering deeper reflection and participation across generations in Princeton.

Public Humanities programs are presented with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this programming do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

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