ROHA began as a collaboration between the Rutgers College Class of 1942 and the History Department to document the alumni's life experiences--first- and second-generation immigrant upbringings, the Great Depression, World War II and beyond. ROHA soon opened its doors to all affiliated with Rutgers University, then, to all New Jersey residents as part of ROHA's service to the public of New Jersey.
The interview tracks developed then--RU history, NJ History, veterans' stories--continue to form key parts of ROHA's long-term mission. The ROHA staff has since significantly augmented its collections pertaining to understudied, underserved groups--African-American, Latina/o, LGBTQ+, women, and others--within the Rutgers, NJ and veteran populations. ROHA has also launched partnership initiatives to document new populations and events, most notably the COVID-19 Pandemic and its impact on NJ.
