Community News

Share your story on video at Heroes Hall

by: OC Fair
Posted: July 18, 2017

COSTA MESA...The OC Fair is a great place to find fun food, carnival rides and live music. But it's also about bringing the community together, and Heroes Hall is on a mission to capture and share stories of military service to unite and inspire Orange County. 

For the first time, Heroes Hall is open during the OC Fair and the veterans museum has unveiled a newly installed story booth, the key to a video project to capture and share stories of sacrifice and duty. 

On the second floor of Heroes Hall, a booth with a computer, video camera and microphone are set up facing a vintage military photo backdrop. Storytellers simply sit in front of the camera, answer a few questions and hit record. 

“I saw a presentation in Washington DC on a self-directed storytelling project and thought it would be a great way to capture the stories of our past and present military,” said Bolton Colburn, Heroes Hall supervisor. “I hope we’re able to share and preserve some interesting stories.”

The video system, on long-term loan from the Cleveland Museum of Art, is designed to make the process easy and accessible. First, guests are asked to categorize their story as one of four prompts: "I am currently serving," "I am a veteran," "I am a family member or a friend of a military member," or "I have a uniform or other military object." After clicking on a category, guests hit record and share their story. 

Once storytellers are finished, they are able to send their stories via email to themselves or others. The videos will also be featured on a Heroes Hall playlist on YouTube. 

Heroes Hall opened its doors in February. Fair guests are also welcome to write a postcard to veterans or those who are currently serving in the military. Visitors can ask a museum volunteer for information.