Digitizing Southside Memories

Abstract

This poster illustrates the process of data collection, including digital scanning, photography, transcriptions and recordings of ethnographic interviews that are being used to compile an oral history about Indianapolis’ near Southside. Entitled, “The Neighborhood of Saturdays,” the project is being undertaken by Susan Hyatt’s ethnographic methods class and highlights the experiences and memories of a community that was once one of the most multi-ethnic in Indianapolis. Between the 1920’s to the 1970’s, the neighborhood was comprised of Jewish immigrants, other European immigrants, African-Americans and Appalachians. Much of the neighborhood was destroyed by the construction of I-70. Interviews have focused primarily on former Jewish and African American residents of the community. The project will result in the publication of a small student-authored book, being funded by a Venture Grant from the Solution Center, and a digital museum to be housed on the IUPUI University Library Web site.