The Glue that Binds Us: Developing a Digial History Contract

The first thing I realized after completing our contract is it allowed me to truly understand some of the minute things which help separate a historian and the layman who attempts to create historical websites. The ability to thoughtfully plan out your project and incorporate historical methodology in the collection and narration of the project was clearly reinforced during my experience with creating the digital history contract.  Also the process of creating this contract personally helped give me some focus after debating and sharing ideas with colleagues. Unlike many undergraduate group projects which I dreaded with a passion, I like the fact that the contract clearly holds each individual accountable and defines their responsibility in a clearly objective fashion.

My early research on this project is leading me to discover some very interesting and exciting facts about Charlotte music history. Finding one of Charlotte’s most obscure nightclubs which was a hub for developing Black music artist and cultural life has been an exciting discovery. Also my tentative collection of African American musicians, deejays and the impact of WGIV radio station within the black community will contribute significantly to the growing body of knowledge on this subject. Potential problems I foresee on this project, are securing some of the interviews with local artist.  Already, I have experienced one major disappointment when I discovered one of  the major custodians of knowledge within Black music circles I had on my list to interview, died recently.  Other barriers I might encounter on this project are securing some photographs of historic Black clubs that are no longer in existence.