Tell Your Story
The Opelousas Tricentennial Oral History Project invites locals to contribute their personal experiences and reflections to the city's celebration of 300 Years of le Poste de Opelousas.
Tricentennial Oral History Project
In Spring 2018, the Main Street Program, City of Opelousas, secured a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services in order to support the Opelousas Tricentennial Oral History Project. The oral history project will engage the community by inviting the city’s residents to participate and share stories of their ancestors and other historical aspects of the area, thereby creating a permanent record for future generations. Photographs shared during the interviews will be scanned by project volunteers for exhibition purposes and will be displayed at both Le Vieux Village Historical Park and Heritage Museum and the Opelousas Museum and Interpretive Center for a special tricentennial exhibit. The project includes numerous community partners as volunteers: Imperial St.Landry Genealogical and Historical Society, Opelousas High School, Opelousas-Eunice Public Library, the Opelousas Museum and Interpretive Center, and the Center for Louisiana Studies at UL Lafayette. All collected materials will be deposited into the archives housed at the Center for Louisiana Studies for research purposes.
Oral History Interviews
Interviews will be conducted by community volunteers in a variety of settings. All volunteers will go through a training process so that they are comfortable using the interview equipment and are prepared to conduct interviews and log their notes and accompanying paperwork. All oral history materials will be donated to the Center for Louisiana Studies at UL Lafayette at the conclusion of the project. A traveling exhibit developed from the oral history project will debut during the Opelousas Tricentennial celebrations.
300 Years at le Poste de Opelousas
Here are some ways you can contribute your memories, experiences and reflections:
Volunteer for an Interview
interview locations include
Le Vieux Village Historical Park and Heritage Museum
Opelousas Public Library
Opelousas Interpretive Museum
Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home/C'est la vie Independent Living
Opelousas High School
Contribute to the Image Catalog
Upload your family photos and local memorabilia. Contact opelousas2020@gmail.com for your secure link, or to schedule a time to bring in your items for scanning and 3D documentation.
Volunteer to Process Donated Material
We need help with interview transcriptions and media processing. To learn more about how to help keep the project organized and on track, email opelousas2020@gmail.com.