Digital Humanities: the Future of History

AP US History Final Project

Digital Humanities: The Future of History

Mrs. Ziemnik

You will create a mini-documentary that will analyze a particular aspect of U.S. History and local history. You will be the historian and gather primary sources (conduct an interview and assemble photographs) using the iPads I have secured through a generous grant from the Rocky River Educational Foundation. Once you have gathered your interview and digital photographs, you will then use iMovie to create a documentary-style presentation showing how your topic fits into Rocky River history, Cleveland History, and United States History.

Interviews must be conducted at school during allotted class time. You may select from the list of interviewees provided. As an alternate idea, you may also choose to interview a family friend or family member who has a unique story about why they live in Rocky River or a particular perspective on a historical event (eg. They served in a war, they lived in Cleveland during the Depression and can describe what it was like, what was it like to immigrate to the United States and why did they choose to live here in Rocky River, etc.). If you choose this option, photographs from your interviewee are needed to scan that can be used in your documentary.

Interviews will be conducted between May 20-May 27th. Construction of the project using the photos and interviews you gathered will take place between May 27th and May 30th. Presentation of your documentary will be drawn at random between June 3-June 9th.

In your minimum 2 minute documentary, you should provide the following:

A background of your subject: their age, where they are originally from, how they ended up in Rocky River, etc.
Well-chosen clips from your interview to prove something about your subject. You should ask higher-order questions that get your subject talking. Avoid “yes” and “no” questions and respectfully get your subject to tell their story. Then, use parts of their story to prove their role in history.
At least 20 images either provided by the subject or applicable images from historical events they are making reference to. Images should be either from the Rocky River Historical Society, the subject’s own collection that you scanned, or a public source like the Cleveland Press Collection, the Cleveland Memory Project, or the Library of Congress that can be verified and cited.
A list of all documents, resources, and photographs used on a citations page in MLA style handed in with your project.
Projects should be uploaded to Google Docs and shared with

This will be something that you are creating to last a lifetime! Projects that are of the highest caliber and deal with some aspect of Rocky River History may be used for a new “app” that is available for any smartphone on Cleveland History. More information can be found here:

Total Points: 100

Possible Interviewees:

Citizens interned as Japanese Americans during WWII (Mrs. Z can set this up!)
WWII Veterans, Korean War Veterans, Vietnam Veterans
Anyone with unique perspectives on immigration in Cleveland (Slovenian, Irish, Asian, Polish, Ukrainian, Italian, etc. (Cultural Gardens, Heritage Centers, your own family history, etc.)
Anyone with ties to Cleveland’s Music scene (Beachland Ballroom, Agora, Peabody’s, you can also include other Northeastern Ohio bands and artists like the Black Keys, Chrissie Hynde, Dave Grohl, etc)
Anyone with ties to Cleveland’s growing theater scene (Playhouse Square, Hanna Theater, etc.)
Anyone with ties to the redevelopment of E. 4th Street (the new chandelier?)
Anyone with ties to new growing/redeveloped areas: Gordon Square, Battery Park, Tremont, Ohio City—Yellowcake Shop (fashion), Sweet Moses (ice cream)
Anyone with ties to Cleveland’s growing food scene (Jonathan Sawyer, Michael Symon, etc.)
Friends or family members who have a unique historical perspective!
Unique history relating to Rocky River or surrounding suburbs (past projects have included Bearden’s, the clock tower, Bradstreet’s Landing, the Westlake Hotel, Mitchell’s Ice Cream, the Sam Shepherd Murder trial, CYC, Stone House in Lakewood, etc.)
Other well-known crimes committed in Cleveland (someone has already done Elliot Ness and the Torso Murders): Ariel Castro, the murder of Amy Mihaljevic, the murder of Danny Greene
Cleveland and the role of industry, unions, and workers
Cleveland’s environmental history: From “Mistake on the Lake” in 1969 to “Green City, Blue Lake” campaign today
Cleveland’s sports history and how it reflects national history: Jesse Owens, Larry Doby, 1947, Manager Frank Robinson, etc.
Cleveland’s art scene: Cleveland Heights, specific artists, Superman comics
Cleveland’s history of the Civil Rights Struggle: riots in Little Italy, death of Bruce Klunder, Hough Riots, etc.
New development efforts like the Cleveland Flea ( Brite Winter Festival ( Dyngus Day ( information on and how events like this are revitalizing old neighborhoods