Jennings Center Oral Histories

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The Fort Wayne Historic Preservation, Neighborhood Planning & Activation, and Parks Departments collaborated with Ball State University's Public History Program to create an oral history video for the Jennings Center, a youth center in operation since 1948, in order to document its history and impact on the East Central Neighborhood.

The director of the Public History Program, Dr. Wendy Soltz worked with students enrolled in HIST 240: Introduction to Public History to practice oral history methods. Students also worked with City staff to develop questions and interview past and present participants at the Jennings Center.

The recordings will be available to the public via a compilation video on the City of Fort Wayne's YouTube channel and City TV. The recordings, in their entirety, will be available at the Allen County Public Library and the BSU Archives and Special Collections.

In addition, the Parks Department will use the material in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Jennings Center and to nominate the Center to the National Register of Historic Places.