PROJECT HEIRLOOM

Black and white historic photograph of a small American military or colonial outpost with a flagpole in the center, flying an American flag, set against a backdrop of mountains and cloudy sky.

Bringing Japanese American history to life with AI-powered storytelling.

Learn More

During World War II, over 120,000 Japanese Americans—two-thirds of whom were U.S. citizens—were forcibly removed from their homes and incarcerated in government-run camps across the United States. Stripped of their rights and livelihoods, they were unjustly imprisoned solely because of their ancestry. Despite these hardships, many demonstrated resilience, building communities within the camps and serving in the U.S. military to prove their loyalty.

EXPLORE THE STORIES

EXPLORE THE STORIES

Hear firsthand accounts from five individuals who lived through the Japanese American incarceration.

SEE MORE

Project Heirloom uses StoryFile’s Conversa AI technology, which powers an interactive storytelling experience like never before. This cutting-edge technology allows users to ask questions and receive responses from pre-recorded video interviews, making it feel as though they are having a real conversation with those who lived through history.

Learn more about StoryFile
An elderly woman with gray hair seated in a gray armchair against a black background. She is wearing a pink top and pink pants with brown shoes.
An elderly man with white hair, wearing a white polo shirt and navy pants, sits on a gray chair against a black background.

For the first time ever, students and educators can ask an internment camp survivor their questions and receive personalized answers from pre-recorded testimonies.

An elderly man in a light gray suit, black shirt, and blue tie is sitting on a gray armchair against a black background.
Elderly man sitting on a gray armchair against a black background, wearing a light blue button-up shirt, gray pants, and brown loafers.

Educational Resources

For Educators

Curriculum guides, lesson plans, and activities aligned with history and social studies standards.

Resources

For Students

Learn how to engage with the StoryFiles, explore personal accounts, and troubleshoot any issues.

Resources

Community Stories

Links to historical archives, primary source documents, and academic resources.

Resources

ABOUT PROJECT HEIRLOOM

A stylized tree with five rounded leaves and roots depicted underneath.

Project Heirloom’s mission is to preserve and share stories from the Japanese American incarceration during World War II through interactive AI technology. By bringing firsthand accounts to life, we provide students and educators with a deepened understanding and empathy for those impacted by civil liberties violations.

Just as an heirloom is passed down through generations, we want to ensure these stories live on forever.

Learn more
Black and white photograph of a large residential housing complex with multiple rows of single-story modular homes, dirt roads, and open land in the background.
Group of people waiting in line at a train station with mountains in the background, carrying luggage. Black and white photo.