Join us as we watch live on the History Room smartboard and discuss some of the many interesting webinars being offered on all types of history-related topics. Stop by and stay as long as you like. Today's Watch Party lecture is from the Princeton Preservation Group: “Capturing and Preserving Veteran Oral Histories at the Center for US War Veterans: Oral Histories at the National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey” - Speaker: Carol Fowler, Assistant Curator, NGMMNJ

The artifacts and documents in any museum’s collection can tell fascinating stories with proper interpretation and contextual information. However, how do we make sure we are not missing out on the stories that did not make it into the official records? In 2001, using experience gained while assisting in Brookdale Community College’s “Triumphant Spirit series: America’s World War II Generation Speaks,” Mrs. Carol Fowler helped establish the Center for US War Veterans Oral Histories at the National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey (NGMMNJ). Initially focusing on the stories of veterans local to the Monmouth County area, the connections between numerous veterans’ organizations helped propel it towards new heights. While the museum’s object collection focuses on the contributions of the New Jersey National Guard, the program helped expand the breadth of our archival collection by including stories from all branches, along with the Merchant Marines, WASPs, WACs, Red Cross, and State Militia.