Local philanthropist Myron “Mike” Wilson recently donated $335,000 to the Cedar Rapids’ History Center to endow its national award-winning Oral Histories LIVE! Program, ensuring that it will go on in perpetuity. To honor the generous donation, the program will now be called “Esther & Mike Wilson’s Oral Histories LIVE!”.
Mr. Wilson and his late wife, Esther, have been supporters of The History Center since 2010. The Wilsons agreed to be the annual sponsors of the Oral Histories LIVE! program, and the gift ensures the program will be supported indefinitely.
“Mike, and Esther before she passed, were so enthusiastic about Oral Histories LIVE! They truly believed in the power of this program,” said Jason Wright, executive director of The History Center. “They knew that it was capturing important stories that, without this program, would be lost to the ages. This gift now ensures that the program, as it evolves, is underwritten in perpetuity.”
The History Center developed Oral Histories LIVE! to capture the stories and histories of past Linn County residents that led impactful lives. In 2023, the program received the “Leadership in History” Award from the American Association of State and Local History (AASLH), their top award for programming.
The History Center differs from many historical societies’ take on oral histories in that it performs in front of a live audience with a moderator to guide the conversation, making the presentation interactive and entertaining.
The History Center expresses gratitude for the collaboration with University of Northern Iowa students who transcribe video recordings from Oral Histories LIVE! This involves digitally capturing spoken words for future research purposes. The student transcribers focus on accurately representing not only the spoken words but also capturing elements like tone, pauses, and non-verbal cues such as laughter or emotion. This comprehensive approach ensures a detailed and accessible record of oral history interviews, preserving valuable stories and insights. The transcribed interviews, totaling over twenty, are now part of The History Center’s archives, allowing for easy sharing, analysis, and preservation for future generations.
Besides the generous donation, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were major contributors to The History Center’s Landmark & Legacy Capital Campaign that completely rehabilitated the Douglas Mansion back to its 1890s glory, and now serves as The History Center’s base of operations. One of The History Center’s exhibit galleries is named in their honor.
The contribution will help The History Center to continue engaging with the community, ensuring historical narratives are preserved and shared for generations to come.
Oral Histories LIVE! interviews can be viewed by visiting: historycenter.org/oral-
