Chesterfield is a place that holds important memories and stories for many of us. Now, some of those stories and memories will be available to the public. Chesterfield County Public Library launches “Chesterfield Remembers,” an oral history project, in which people, like you and I, share memories and stories created while living in Chesterfield.
The project started as a way to collect stories and memories of veterans, but it expanded to capture the stories Chesterfield citizens have to share. Our county administrator, Dr. Joe Casey was inspired by a visit to a museum in Ohio that was capturing the stories of veterans. “Projects like this, where we have the opportunity to make it possible for people to share their stories so they can be preserved, are absolutely essential to a community like Chesterfield. We are so thankful that we can play a small role in ensuring their stories are passed along for generations to come,” Casey said.
Chesterfield Remembers highlights through digital audio and video, a variety of stories and memories about people, places, and events in Chesterfield County. Some of our fellow residents already took the time to go to the Central Library location to record themselves and share their experiences. “CCPL is the ideal location for hosting this project,” said Dr. Michael Mabe, director of library services for CCPL. “Libraries are specifically designed as a place where stories are shared, and where the community can learn from other people’s experiences. Adding the additional component of having these stories be Chesterfield-centric is a wonderful way for all of us to learn about each other and ourselves.”
Among the available recordings, you can find stories like Juan Santacoloma’s and his need to leave Colombia and stay in Virginia as a refugee, Don Kappel’s experiences as a Marine during the Vietnam War, George Emerson’s involvement in the county’s evolving real estate market, and Devin and George Allen’s discussion of motosport racing. The collection is expected to keep growing and will become part of the digital collection of Chesterfield County Public Library.
You can also capture your story and be part of the Chesterfield Remembers Oral History Project. If you want to share your story, you can submit an interest form on our website.