Taylor-Victoria Northwood

Taylor Northwood

Listening to the Silent Generation

The oral history project Rock Around the Clock began with the research question: What was it like to be a teenager in Windsor, Ontario during the 1950s? Archival materials provide a stage, but no actors. This generation is often overlooked in research, just as they were as teens in the 1950s. By interviewing residents of retirement homes in Windsor, I aim to uncover stories of Silent Generation individuals during their teenage years in this economically and socially thriving city. The project, evolving into a docuseries, will spotlight interviewees, some for the first time ever. As we journey back to the “pop shops” and “drive-ins,” a shared sense of identity will emerge among Windsorites of all ages, preserving the voices of the last living generation before they are gone. We must honor a generation’s legacy to inspire future generations to cherish their own histories and the communities that shape them.

Taylor-Victoria Northwood
MA candidate, History
Faculty of Social Science - Western University

Supervisors
Dr. Michelle A. Hamilton

Taylor-Victoria Northwood earned her Honours Bachelor of Arts with a double major in history and anthropology from Carleton University in Ottawa. She also studied history at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. In the fall of 2025, she will graduate with her master's degree in history (public history field) from Western University. Taylor specializes in digital history, historical research and oral history, which she is passionate about at the local level. Her work often involves collaborating with local organizations, conducting oral history interviews, and utilizing digital platforms to make “history” more accessible. Taylor’s CV boasts roles in mentoring, curriculum development, podcasting, documentary filmmaking, and research design. She has had exciting opportunities to create and lead her own research projects as early as her second year in undergraduate and has been the recipient of multiple awards and honours—all of which she remains incredibly grateful for. The motivation for her hard work and dedication will always be her drive to contribute something memorable and meaningful to her community. She reminds herself daily the importance of leading with the heart and stands by the sentiment that “people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelou.

You can connect with Taylor-Victoria via her LinkedIn or website.

View Taylor-Victoria's work as it appears in the Inspiring Minds Digital Collection.