The project has evolved into a community venture.  Those who listen using their mobile phones stay on the line and record their own stories. If the stories fit objectives, they are re-recorded and added to the program.

Citizens of La Crosse hear about the big history of the city. We know about our founder, Nathan Myrick, and lumber barons like the Hixons. We hear about the 90.2% White population.

We do not hear about the 9.8% made up of Black, Hmong, Ho Chunk and other ethnic groups. Groups like the LGBTQ*, the foreign nationals, and the homeless have often been overlooked in our history.

How can these stories be documented and told in our community? How do the stories from historically-underrepresented peoples reflect on the community at large? How might the community change and evolve knowing that La Crosse, like all cities in our complicated and nuanced world, has its prejudices, struggles, and injustices?

Hear, Here sees itself as a vehicle for all stories in the community-both those that praise and challenge traditional views. It is an opportunity for people to have public conversations about how we might create a more ideal and just city.

We at Hear, Here hope that citizens of La Crosse will see the stories as an opportunity for education, growth, and change. 

View our full list of Objectives.

Ariel Beaujot is a history professor at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. History was her inspiration. Hear, Here was her vision. With the support of undergraduate students and community members, Ariel was able to transform a dream of shared voices into a reality.