“History must be imagined before it can be understood.” (Historian David Blight)
History colleague John Pellowski and Paul Rykken first began discussing the concept of a local history project in 2000, ultimately planting the seed for the Falls History Project. From the outset, the goal has been to explore local and regional history through authentic interaction with available sources, including a heavy emphasis on oral history when possible. As an introduction, Rykken researched the life of Mitchell Red Cloud, Jr., BRFHS graduate and Medal of Honor recipient from the Korean Conflict. Beyond his gallant and tragic story, he sought to explore his memory within the community. The plaque pictured here was originally displayed at the High School on Third Street (note the picture in our gallery on the lower right), which over time became the Junior High and then Elementary School. In recent years, it has become part of our “shared history” wall at BRFHS. An important connection from the outset has been Jackson County History Room Historian Mary I. Murray Woods, who continues to provide direction and access to the myriad of local resources available. Through 2022, 20 projects have been completed on a variety of subjects, including more than 90 transcribed interviews with local residents.
Our 2023-24 Project will take a deep dive into one of our school’s long-standing student clubs, the FFA Organization. Our local chapter began in 1940 and has a long and storied history in the community, impacting the lives of hundreds of young men and women in its 83-year history. This will be our second project highlighting the rural and agricultural identity of our region, the first being our 2008 exploration of the Jackson County Fair. Our 2023-24 intern is Morgan Lindow, a junior at BRFHS who, among other things, serves as this year’s FFA Historian. Beyond an overview of the FFA as an international, national, and state organization, we will be interviewing several people with varying perspectives on the role of FFA in our school community, both past and present. We are excited about the project and plan to have it completed by May of 2024.