The Missouri Humanities Council (MHC) has awarded a grant of $15,000 to Claire Syler from the Department of Theatre in the College of Arts and Science, Janet Saidi from the Missouri School of Journalism, and the University of Missouri in support of the project titled "Digitizing the Haskell Monroe Oral History Collection at the State Historical Society of Missouri." 

The Haskell Monroe Oral History Collection at the State Historical Society of Missouri is a hidden cultural gem comprised of nearly 500 oral history interviews detailing community life in Columbia, Missouri, in the 1930s and 1940s. Dr. Monroe, former chancellor and professor of history at the University of Missouri, spearheaded the oral history project between 1994 and 1996 when he led students from history classes to interview Columbia elders. 

The interviews provide vivid portrayals of a past era, including depictions of African-American life, voting practices, local journalism, and healthcare practices in and beyond MU's medical school. Syler and Saidi will use the MHC funds to digitize portions of the Monroe Collection and develop a “Public Humanities” course at Mizzou in spring 2026. 

Leveraging the methods of public journalism and documentary theatre, students in the course will explore how the Collection's histories relate to contemporary social issues and the lives of modern Missourians. The class culminates with a series of free public humanities events (e.g., podcasts, historical walking tours, performances) in May 2026.

The MHC is the only statewide agency in Missouri devoted exclusively to humanities education for citizens of all ages. It has served as a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities since 1971. For more information about the grants program of the Missouri Humanities Council, call 314-781-9660 or 800-357-0909 or email clarice@mohumanities.org