Oral History Project

Purpose and Project Description

In 2002 the Board of Directors of Cleaves Law Library formally organized and adopted guidelines for the Cleaves Law Library Oral History Project for the purpose of assembling a historical record about the Maine judiciary and the legal profession of the State of Maine. This project has been instituted as an integral function of the Library’s historical mission and archival objectives.

Initial funding for the project was provided by the Levine Family Foundation and the Maine State Bar Association. The project originated from the efforts of the Hon. D. Brock Hornby, the Hon. William Brownell, the staff of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine and numerous volunteers, in particular Roger Putnam, Esq.

The Oral History Project is a public service endeavor intended to capture, for the permanent historical record, a picture of the practice of law in Maine at various periods of time. Our intention is to conduct interviews of diverse occupations within the legal profession to uncover the personal insights often lacking in written documentary sources, and to record each narrator’s unique relationship and contribution to the subject. Firsthand accounts of important events and experiences, supplemented with personal and anecdotal material to illustrate are a focus of the project.

We also accept donated collections or items when they fit into our selection guidelines, such as audio taped interviews, taped events, transcribed speeches, diaries or other personal papers that enhance or further explain the historical collection as a whole.

The Oral History Project is directed by an Advisory Committee with oversight by the Board of Directors of the Library. The Project is staffed primarily by volunteers.

The collection is for educational, not-for-profit use related to the advancement of civic education or access to justice.

For More Information:
Project Guidelines
Use Agreement and Form
Sample Release Agreement Form