Connect250 project preserves American voices in time capsule

A collaborative initiative between StoryCorps and NPR’s Morning Edition has concluded, resulting in a digital time capsule that documents the perspectives of thousands of Americans. The project, known as Connect250, paired strangers from different ZIP codes for 40-minute recorded video conversations to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary.

The recordings have been officially deposited into the Library of Congress to serve as a historical record. According to StoryCorps founder and president Dave Isay, the project was designed as a nonpartisan effort to foster human connection, offering an alternative to more traditional commemorative events. Isay noted that the goal was to create a quieter, more meaningful experience by encouraging deep conversations between individuals who might otherwise never interact.

The initiative was supported by several organizations, including the American Library Association, Acton Family Giving, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, The Hearthland Foundation, the Mellon Foundation, and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. Participants were provided with specific prompts to guide their discussions about their lives and personal outlooks.

While the collection phase of the project ended on Nov. 3, 2026, the public can continue to access and listen to the unedited stories through the project’s website. Isay stated that the experiment in human connection was a unique undertaking, as the act of pairing strangers for such in-depth dialogue is not a common occurrence.