Digital Memory Banks

The Blackout History Project 

September 11 Digital Archive

Hurricane Digital Memory Bank

Barcero History Archive

As archives increase in their online presence, a desire for communication and public feedback has developed. Coming out of oral histories, digital memory banks provided a platform for indviduals to submit their personal histories into digital repositories. CHNM has been involved from the beginning with these digital memory banks. 

In 1998, CHNM created the Blackout History Project which provided users with a submittable form to detail their experience with the 1965 and 1977 New York City blackouts. This was the Centers first digital memory bank project but certainly wasn't its last. Since then, the Center has been involved with the September 11 Digital Archive, Hurricane Digital Memory Bank, and the Bracero History Archive. Each of these projects can be seen as building upon its predecassar. 

Especially imporant with these digital memory banks is their responsive nature. With the pervasivenss of the internet, these digital archives can be created very quickly following a major event, such as a terrorist attack or natural disaster. In this way, they can reach a large number of those affected and record their experiences for future generations.