Oral History Project

The Colorado River Runners Oral History Project is unparalleled within river running communities: though there are many regional organizations, no others have undertaken a project of this scope. GCRG unofficially began collecting oral history interviews in 1990 at “Woman of the River” Georgie White Clark’s 80th birthday party. Since that time, GCRG’s oral history project has produced over 100 interviews. Those interviews continue to serve as the centerpiece for each issue of our publication, the Boatman’s Quarterly Review.

And of course with any program of such depth, collaboration and cooperation are the keys to success. The initial grant for this program was provided by the Southwestern Foundation for Education and Historical Preservation. In the ensuing years, the Arizona Humanities Council has funded the project several times; and Northern Arizona University Cline Library archives, preserves, and hosts online access to the interviews.

GCRG recognized at an early stage that Grand Canyon river running history was in danger, for “if an old one dies, a book is lost.” Preserving Colorado River runners’ stories—those “words from the heart” and their unique spirit, is both our profound responsibility and our distinct honor.