Research Projects
Read about The Bronx County Historical Society’s ongoing research and documentation projects below. If you or someone you know might be a good candidate for an oral history, or if you have other information or material that might be relevant to these projects, fill out the inquiry form on this page and one of our staff members will follow up with you.
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Bronx Aerosol Arts Documentary Project
The Bronx Aerosol Arts Documentary Project was started by The Bronx County Historical Society, in partnership with veteran documentarian of urban culture Kurt Boone, in January 2021 in order to document the early history and development of graffiti in The Bronx and New York City. Since it’s inception, the project has recorded dozens of oral histories with graffiti pioneers, hosted community graff events and panel discussions, designed and implemented anti-gun violence street art seminars in Bronx high schools (taught by legendary STAFF 161), installed multiple exhibits on street art at the Museum of Bronx History, and more. In the future, we plan to publish collected oral histories and other materials from the project while continuing to expand our documentation and education efforts.
Started in 2002 as a collaboration between Fordham University’s Department of African American Studies and The Bronx County Historical Society, the Bronx African American History Project (BAAHP) is dedicated to uncovering the cultural, political, economic, and religious histories of the more than 500,000 people of African descent in The Bronx. Since its inception, the project has recorded hundreds of oral histories, acquired dozens of archival collections for The Bronx County Archives, produced exhibits, published articles and books, and more. Currently, the bulk of oral histories for the project are available through Fordham Univeristy’s online repository, though BCHS also maintains a small repository for some of its more recent oral histories.
Bronx African american history project
bronx hip hop oral history project
The Bronx Hip Hop Oral History Project was started by The Bronx County Historical Society in Spring 2024, building off the ongoing work of the Bronx Aerosol Arts Documentary Project, in order to document the early history and development of the other elements of hip hop culture in The Bronx and New York City. The project began with a focus on breaking and street dance and is expanding to include the other elements as well. The main approach of this project is grassroots, focusing much of its attention on the communities and little-known individuals who gave rise to hip hop and made it the global cultural phenomenon that it now is today.
bronx latino history project
The Bronx County Historical Society started the Bronx Latino History Project in 2010 as an educational and cultural initiative, producing various programs and exhibits during the first decade of its existence. In 2021, the project began recording oral histories and now has recorded more than 100, focusing much of its effort thus far on recording with current and former Puerto Rican Bronxites. The oral history work has led to the acquisition of significant archives, especially with Puerto Rican artists and community activists. Eventually, the project will expand its efforts to other Bronxites of Latin American origin. The project continues its educational and cultural efforts, with exhibits at the Museum of Bronx History and Edgar Allan Poe Cottage, as well as programming around The Bronx.
bronx veterans archival inItiative
The Bronx Veterans Archival Initiative began in 2022 with the objective of establishing a permanent and active oral history archive to capture the unique stories and experiences of Bronx veterans. The initiative establishes contacts and recruits oral history candidates through efforts with the New York City Department of Veterans Affairs, New York State Department of Veterans Services, The Bronx VA Hospital, academic institutions such as Lehman College, veterans and veterans service organizations such as the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Veterans for Peace, and American Legion posts.
mott haven history keepers
With funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities, from November 2023 to March 2025 The Bronx County Historical Society, the Mott Haven Oral History Project, and Incite at Columbia University are teaming up to support ten of Mott Haven’s history keepers.
Through the project, each history keeper is deepening, sharing, or continuing their work on neighborhood history. They are provided with training, as desired, in topics like archiving, oral history, and grant writing. In the Fall of 2023 we searched for our team through flyers, newspaper ads, word of mouth, social media, and community networks, and we started our work with an initial meeting in December 2023. The project will culminate in various public sharing during the Spring of 2025.
Uptown Rumble: Heavy Music in The Bronx documents the rich and little-known history of heavy rock genres in our borough, including hard rock, heavy metal, thrash and death metal, punk rock, hardcore, and more. Started in Fall 2023, the project has recorded dozens of oral histories with Bronx musicians in these genres, who are primarily musicians of color playing in genres often but erroneously seen as primarily white in audience, appeal, and musicianship. The project has collected significant archival material and will be installing its first exhibit at the Museum of Bronx History in 2025.
