“Our Shore, Our Stories” Launches in Salisbury, Maryland
Salisbury, MD - A new public audio storytelling project, titled Our Shore, Our Stories, has been launched in Salisbury, Maryland. Small blue markers featuring QR codes are currently being installed in public spaces throughout the city.
The project was developed by the Arts, Business, and Culture Department of the City of Salisbury. It operates as an oral history initiative focused on community perspectives, family histories, and personal journeys.
The project was initiated based on discussions from the 2022 Public Art Master Plan forums. During these meetings, community members suggested that art can communicate the history of a location.
An initial collection of six stories is currently available to the public. These recordings will be replaced with new submissions every few months. Previous stories will be archived on the project website for continued public access.
"Our Shore, Our Stories is about preserving the voices, memories, and everyday moments that make this place home," said Caroline O'Hare, Events and Culture Manager for the City of Salisbury. "Not every story has to be dramatic to matter. Sometimes the smallest memories - a person, a place, a moment you never forgot - are the ones that tell us the most about who we are. I hope this project helps people feel more connected to Salisbury, to the Eastern Shore, and to one another."
Residents and visitors are encouraged to submit their own stories. Participants must begin their recordings by stating, "My name is ____, I live in ____, and this is my story." Recordings are restricted to a maximum length of three minutes. Submissions can be completed by calling 410-575-3137 or by uploading an audio file through the project's website.
Participant guidelines dictate that stories must be honest and respectful of privacy. Discriminatory, harassing, and graphic content is strictly prohibited. The initiative is partially financed by State funds from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority.
Additional financial support is provided by the Beach to Bay Heritage Area and PAC14. Further information and current audio recordings can be accessed at downtownsby.com/osos.
