In a fresh bid to bring the community's untold stories to light, the Wake Forest Historic Preservation Commission (HPC), alongside the Wake Forest Historical Museum and Town staff, have rolled out a new platform – the Wake Forest History Exchange. According to a recent report by the Town of Wake Forest, the initiative is an interactive GIS-based program that's designed to let locals put their personal stamp on the town's historical narrative.
Senior Planner for Historic Preservation, Michelle Michael, declared that the History Exchange aims to draw the public into a deeper conversation with Wake Forest's layered history. Running the gamut from widely known to obscure, the project was built to "celebrate and share Wake Forest's special places, people, and traditions," Michael told the Town of Wake Forest's news outlet. The platform plans to engage, explore, educate, and exchange – key components that define the spirit of the History Exchange.
Seen as a reflection of the town's commitment to preserving its past, this recent launch aligns with the recommendations outlined in the 2022 Wake Forest Historic Preservation Plan (HPP). The HPP has called for more transparency in historic preservation and suggested leveraging modern technology to bring to light the histories that have yet to be told. The creation of the History Exchange responds to this by offering an accessible avenue for public contributions of historic insights, something Wake Forest's news announcement was keen to emphasize.
Residents are not just passive observers but active contributors, sharing their stories through the "Share your story" survey on the History Exchange website. Including the capability for photo and audio uploads, while also being able to record directly within the site, this initiative broadens the historical canvas on which the community can paint their collective memory. This feature was highlighted by the Town of Wake Forest's news release as a significant step toward honoring the town's diverse and rich heritage through direct civic engagement.
