Living Legends of Alexandria has started a new program called Family Legends. One facet of the program is a book-making workshop for children, ages 6-12, where under the direction of graphic artist/bookmaker Sushmita Mazumdar, the students will create one-of-a-kind books that tell the stories of the Legends in their families.
The other involves T.C. Williams high school students who will interview, tape and photograph Parker Gray alumni and their family legends using oral history guidelines.
Recently, members of the Family Legends team, Nancy Boxall, Taki Sidley, and Molly Freitag, all teachers at TC Williams, met at the Archaeology Museum with Ruth Reeder and Jen Hembree for an abbreviated oral history training and to discuss how it might be incorporated as part of the curriculum for students in the History Club and the photo-documentary class. The overview determined the need to convey that doing oral history is a serious endeavor and therefore certain protocols are followed, such as formal letters of requests for interviews, deeds of gifts/release forms, and thank-you letters. Also, because the shared memories are a gift to the City (and school), interviewees are given the opportunity to review the transcript.
The Archaeology Museum will be the main archival repository of any interviews conducted as part of the project, with an additional deed of gift -including parental permission- associated with TC Williams. Recording equipment is to be determined, as is the technical method for transcribing.
The History Club students are interested in two subject matters: Parker Gray Alumni and Family Members. A high school staffer --also a Parker Gray alum-- has agreed to participate as a practice interviewee for the History Club students prior to school finishing for the year. A graduating senior also plans wants to do an interview of a family member before he leaves for college. Most likely, interviewing by the remainder of the History Club students will occur in the Fall -with Taki's students photographing the participants.
The goal is to feature transcripts/excerpts of the interviews on the school’s website, in TC Williams newsletters, the City’s Alexandria Legacies website, as well as in Living Legends of Alexandra News. An exhibition/display at TC Williams and/or elsewhere is also anticipated.
The Archaeology Museum will be the main archival repository of any interviews conducted as part of the project, with an additional deed of gift -including parental permission- associated with TC Williams. Recording equipment is to be determined, as is the technical method for transcribing.
The History Club students are interested in two subject matters: Parker Gray Alumni and Family Members. A high school staffer --also a Parker Gray alum-- has agreed to participate as a practice interviewee for the History Club students prior to school finishing for the year. A graduating senior also plans wants to do an interview of a family member before he leaves for college. Most likely, interviewing by the remainder of the History Club students will occur in the Fall -with Taki's students photographing the participants.
The goal is to feature transcripts/excerpts of the interviews on the school’s website, in TC Williams newsletters, the City’s Alexandria Legacies website, as well as in Living Legends of Alexandra News. An exhibition/display at TC Williams and/or elsewhere is also anticipated.
Volunteers welcome. For information and/or to take part in the project, contact AlexandriaLegends@ninatisara.com.
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