Where YOUR story becomes part of Illinois History
Illinois Humanities is partnering with the Illinois America 250 Commission and StoryCorps Studios to launch Illinois Voices 250, a statewide time capsule capturing stories from all 102 Illinois counties in honor of America’s 250th anniversary.
Illinois Voices 250 invites Illinois residents to record and share their wisdom, stories, and hopes so future generations can connect these voices to real experiences of life, liberty, and happiness, documenting this moment in time with a diverse and representative record that reflects who Illinoisans are today while inspiring reflection on the past and aspirations for the future.
Why Participate?
Make the most of this moment: Use this milestone anniversary to reflect on the past, think about the future, and think about what’s important.
Honor someone you care about: Take time to talk about the things that matter most with someone who has played an important role in your life.
Build understanding: Your recording will help other people better understand the wide variety of experiences and ideas in
Create a legacy for the future: You’ll be part of history. Not just today, but for generations to come.
To submit your recording and for detailed instructions, visit the Record and Submit page!
How to Get Started
A friend, a family member, someone you work with or live with, a teacher, a mentor, etc.
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Pick a conversation partner
Get ready to record
Go to StoryCorps and follow the instructions to log onto the recording page. (similar to Zoom, Teams or Google Meet).
You can use the suggested questions in the Conversation Guide or come up with questions of your own. You can also record in any language.
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Record your conversation
When you’re finished recording, follow the prompts to save and archive your conversation so it can be included in the State of Illinois collection.
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Save your recording
Give permission to share your recording
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You will receive a copy of your recording, and with your permission, StoryCorps will archive it as part of the special Illinois collection and at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.
Suggested Prompt Questions
Can you tell me about where you grew up?
What does it mean to be “from” Illinois?
Tell me about a time when you felt a sense of belonging in your community.
Tell me what you know about your ancestors. What would you want to say to them?
View more prompt questions on the conversation guide!
If you have any questions, run into any issues, or are interested in partnering with Illinois Voices 250, we’d love to hear from you.