Where It started

This project focuses on preserving the voices and personal experiences of individuals who have lived in East Texas towns, exploring how these communities have changed over time through firsthand accounts.

As part of this project, I am producing a short podcast series that will document these stories, beginning with Bullard, Texas, and expanding to other East Texas communities. The goal is to capture meaningful, everyday histories that are often not recorded in traditional sources but are essential to understanding local culture and change. This project also considers how the rise of the digital age has impacted small town life, particularly how the older community members are adapting to digital literacy and using social media to stay connected with the world.

I am looking for community members who are willing to volunteer approximately 30 minutes for a recorded interview. Participants will be asked to share their memories, observations, and personal experiences related to life in their town—past and present. No special preparation is needed, just a willingness to share your story.

Your voice will help preserve the history of East Texas for future generations.

Black and white photo of a small downtown street with cars parked along the curb and various storefronts, including a loan office, a beauty college, and a tailor shop.

Meet your Host

A woman standing on a wooden dock by a lake, with green trees in the background, wearing a colorful patterned dress and cowboy boots, smiling at the camera.
A woman standing on a wooden dock by a lake, with green trees in the background, wearing a colorful patterned dress and cowboy boots, smiling at the camera.

Elena was born in Chicago, IL, and spent her teenage years in the suburbs of the city. In 2020, she and her family relocated to Tyler, Texas, in search of a place to call home. It was here that she met her husband, Jason, and together they have built a wonderful life in Texas. In 2023, Elena made the decision to return to school to complete her Bachelor's degree in History, with a minor in English. Her goal is to teach high school students while pursuing advanced education, aspiring to eventually teach at the university level.

Elena has a passion for reading and researching both United States history and European history. In her free time, she enjoys baking and spending quality moments with her children, her husband, and their ten rescue dogs.