This January, history was literally in the air at Maumee High School. In a creative twist on community engagement, sophomores in BGSU History alum Jamie Naragon’s College Credit Plus class conducted 28 oral interviews with local residents to explore how Maumee has changed over time. Her students crafted a performance that wove these interviews into a narrative of the city’s past, which included a slide show of historic photos and music that brought these stories to life.

This lively student production served as the official kick-off for Maumee’s America-250 celebration, part of the nationwide series of events commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The performance delighted audiences, as residents saw snippets of their own lives reflected on stage. One student even shared how interviewing their grandparent opened up new conversations at home, which serves as a reminder that history can live in everyday conversations.

It’s heartening to see young historians not only learning about the past, but inviting their entire community to experience it together. You can find out more about Maumee’s efforts to celebrate the semiquincentennial throughout the remainder of 2026.