How can an object tell a story? That question was at the heart of Time Traveling Through Music, a poster presentation created for SEFLIN that explored the power of archival objects and sound recordings as tools for storytelling, education, and community engagement.

Drawing from the collections of the FAU Recorded Sound Archives, the presentation demonstrated how historical objects, recording formats, and archival materials offer more than a glimpse into the past. Each item carries a story, providing a tangible connection to the people, technology, music, and cultural moments that shaped history. By highlighting unique and fascinating pieces from the collection, the project illustrated how archives can transform historical materials into engaging storytelling experiences.

The poster also showcased a yearlong educational outreach initiative developed through a series of presentations at five Palm Beach County Library (PBCL) locations throughout 2025–2026. Through Time Traveling Through Music, we brought the stories of recorded sound directly to library audiences, exploring the evolution of recording technology, the history of the Recorded Sound Archives, and the importance of preserving our musical and cultural heritage.

The presentations incorporated archival discoveries, historical imagery, video tours of vintage recording equipment, and insights into the audio digitization process. These elements helped audiences connect with the history behind the objects and understand the ongoing work involved in preserving recorded sound for future generations.

Presented at SEFLIN, this poster highlighted how libraries and archives can use their collections in creative ways to build meaningful connections with their communities. It demonstrated that archival objects are not simply artifacts to be stored and preserved; they are storytelling resources that invite curiosity, spark conversations, and bring history to life.