Not everyone in Northwestern Louisiana who served our country gets recognized, but with the R. W. Norton Art Foundation´s Oral History Project many have a chance to share their experiences. Stories of World War II, whether in Europe, the South Pacific, or on the Home Front deserve to be told and recorded.

This project began in 2003 when we realized that the vast majority of the "greatest generation", the men and women who served in and gave witness to World War II, had left no record behind. Believing that archiving these histories is simply the right thing to do, we began interviewing these veterans, recording their memories and providing a personal copy to each of them while keeping a copy at the Norton Art Gallery. Presently, several hundred of these interviews have been archived and the number continues to grow.

As the project expanded, its scope grew to include:

• Veterans of WWII
• WWII Civilian Defense Employees
• Veterans of Subsequent Wars and Conflicts
• The Civil Rights Movement
• Louisiana Musical Pioneers
• Oil and Gas Industry Entrepreneurs
• Local Community Leaders

The Oral History Project is dedicated to preserving the stories of the men and women who so positively influenced the world we live in today. It is completely funded by the R. W. Norton Art Foundation. If you would like to share your story, please click here to contact us or call 865-4201 ext. 122.