ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. -- Community members are invited to contribute to the Elkhart County Historical Museum's oral history project celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.

Organizers are asking what it means to you and your family to be living in the country during this anniversary and what the Declaration of Independence means to you.

Participants are asked to make a short audio recording of themselves, a friend, or family member talking about their relationship to the U.S.

Other suggested questions include:

• How did your family come to America, whether you arrived yesterday or your family has been here for thousands of years?
• What is a significant event in American history that you remember? How did it affect you, your family, and/or your community?
• What does living in America mean to you today?
• What hopes do you have for the future of the United States over the next 25–50 years?

If you'd like to participate, make an audio-only recording and share the file, along with the name of the person or people on the recording, who made the recording, phone number, and email, via email to [email protected].

If you prefer to make your recording in person, organizers are offering four opportunities.

You may record your oral history interview on:

• Saturday, June 6, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. - Goshen Historical Museum, 124 S. Main St., Goshen Contact: Danaé Wirth [email protected]
• Saturday, June 13, 10 a.m.-noon - Elkhart County Historical Museum, 304 W. Vistula St., Bristol Contact: Julie Parke [email protected]
• Monday, June 15, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. - Ruthmere Arts & History Campus Beardsley Discovery Center, 819 N. Main St., Elkhart Contact: Andrea Hutslar [email protected]
• Wednesday, June 17, 2-5 p.m. - ELC Heritage Center/Nappanee Museum, 302 W. Market St., Nappanee Contact: Martha Owen [email protected]

Recordings will be archived and searchable online, via the Evelyn Lehman Culp Heritage Collection, a part of the Nappanee Library.