“History must be imagined before it can be understood.”
(David Blight)

The Falls History Project brings Black River Falls’ past into clearer view by pairing careful research with the kind of imagination that makes history come alive. We work with students and community members to gather oral histories, explore local archives, and share the stories and voices that continue to shape our sense of place. Through 2025, 22 projects have been completed, including nearly 100 interviews with community members. We have diligently created an archive of materials that will be of use for students and community members for years to come!

Paul Rykken established the Falls History Project and continues to guide its research, storytelling, and student engagement. His background in history education and oral‑history work shapes the project’s emphasis on authentic sources and community memory. Currently in his 47th year of teaching, he brings a deep commitment to connecting past and present for new generations of learners.

Eli Youngthunder brings deep knowledge of Ho‑Chunk history and a strong commitment to community storytelling to the Falls History Project. His work centers on helping students understand the Indigenous history of this region and the living traditions that continue to shape Black River Falls. Currently in his 13th year of teaching, he strengthens the project by grounding our research in cultural context, relationship, and respect for the voices that have long been part of this place.

Mary Woods brings decades of experience in historical research and a deep commitment to community storytelling to the Falls History Project. Her work focuses on uncovering local narratives through careful documentation, cultural awareness, and meaningful engagement with primary sources. She strengthens the project by fostering intergenerational connections and ensuring that the stories we preserve reflect the full diversity of our community’s lived experience.

Our Current Research

As we mark the 25th anniversary of the Falls History Project in 2025–26, we’re turning our attention to the early years of Title IX and the surge of girls’ athletics at Black River Falls High School in the 1970s. Our interviews center on four key voices: teachers Mary Mack and Carol Anderson, who helped build those first programs, and Kitti Young, Mary Rykken, and Holly Smith — athletes who seized new opportunities and later shaped generations of students through long coaching careers.

Beyond these interviews, we’re combing through newspapers, school records, and the memories of women—now elders—who fought for equity and opened doors for others. As part of our team, FHP Intern Junior Lily Sullivan, a standout history student, is working on interview transcriptions and further research. This project lifts up the pioneers who changed the game and invites our community to consider how access, advocacy, and athletic opportunity still shape us.