Welcome to the SOP Memory Book!

A major accomplishment of the Federal Writers' Project (FWP) was the collection of life histories and slave narratives. These autobiographical accounts give us a first-hand account of life during the Great Depression. Now you can help continue the work of the FWP and share your family stories of the Great Depression in our "Soul of a People" Memory Book. Your memories may help others recall their own stories and encourage them to contribute. This is a chance to share history created by the people who lived it!

Submit memories via email or bring the print version to the library; you may also submit a photograph. Be sure to submit only your own content and be sensitive to copyright law. Memories will be posted online and printed out and displayed at our first and third events. (Please note: The memories will be reviewed prior to being posted; we reserve the right to make edits or reject posts.)

Feel free to contact us with any questions or for more information. Also be sure to visit our "Soul of a People" website for information about upcoming events!


Laura W. Sullivan writes about her grandmother, Mary Ryan Wetherbee

Our grandmother was the kind of woman who took in all of the various friends and relatives who were unemployed. She had to feed her own family and all of the extra people with whatever she could come up with. She had a recipe that called for 2 apples and a few other basic ingredients. This resulted in a very rich dessert that made 16 people happy.