Welcome to the Falls History Project!
Since 2000 we have been exploring and documenting the history of our region with the goal of establishing a research archive for future students and community members. We have compiled more than 500 pages of material through our annual projects, including 39 interviews with local residents on a variety of topics.
The photograph on the right is from a 1952 edition of the Banner Journal, and was included in our 2004 project. The three local citizens are "skywatchers" who were trained to spot Soviet aircraft.
INDEX TO THE PROJECTS
Since 2002 we have interviewed 39 people for the project. Interviews ranged in length from 45 minutes to an hour. The transcripts are posted below. Utilize the index to narrow your search.
Meet the Falls History Project Interns
OUR 2012-13 PROJECT
We will continue our work with early 20th Century history this year by exploring the unique story of two Black River families that had China connections in the 1920s. James Bowen Noble, originally from Eau Claire, Wisconsin and D.W.A. Holder, a native of England, both worked in China and ultimately married sisters, Harriet and Grace Thomas of rural Black River Falls. Their story is worth retelling and will add a colorful chapter to our growing archive. 
Senior Sandy Lin will serve as our 13th Falls History Project intern. Sandy is currently enrolled in AP American History and has distinguished herself as a talented and hard-working student during her years at BRFHS. She will be conducting interviews in November and will compile the project for final publication in the spring semester.
EXPLORE OUR PROJECTS HERE!
2002: THE WORLD WAR II EXPERIENCE
2003: BLACK RIVER FALLS IN THE DEPRESSION
2004: BLACK RIVER FALLS IN 1952
2005: REGIONAL MUSIC HISTORY
2006: BLACK RIVER FALLS IN 1968
2007: THE KOREAN WAR EXPERIENCE
2008: THE JACKSON COUNTY FAIR
2009: INTEGRATION OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN BRF
2010: BLACK RIVER FALLS IN THE CIVIL WAR
2011: BRF IN 1875: SPAULDING AND THE REMOVAL EPISODE
2012: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF MERLIN HULL
PAPERS AND DOCUMENTS WITH BRF HISTORY CONNECTIONS
Paul Rykken directs the Falls History Project. He and former colleague John Pellowski established the project as a way for young history students to connect more authentically with the history of their local community. The following papers and document studies by Rykken coincide with work that has been done through the project since 2000.
Jackson County Interprets Bleeding Kansas
War and Memory: Jackson County and the Civil War
Letter from Spaulding to U.S. Grant: 1873
Spaulding's Funeral 1876
FDR's 1942 Fireside Chat (WW II)
Eisenhower, McCarthy, and the Election of 1952
Mitchell RedCloud and the Power of Memory
CORPORAL MITCHELL REDCLOUD, JR.
MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT
GRADUATE OF BRFHS
Copyright (c) 2002-2012: The Falls History Project
The Falls History Project is designed for use by students and others interested in learning more about the history of Jackson County and is an educational, non-commercial site. Any teacher who wishes to do so is free to utilize the materials. If anyone objects to the use of photographs that are non-orginal, or have other comments or questions concerning the projects, feel free to contact me at the address below. I have attempted to adhere to the fair use protection of copyright laws as I understand them. This site is maintained at BRFHS by Paul S Rykken, History and Politics Teacher. paul [dot] rykken [at] brf [dot] org
