A woman records nine hours of her oral history. Born in the late 1930’s, she wants her 10 year old granddaughter to know what life was like in a world without cellphones and the internet, a world where girls couldn’t wear pants to school, and where school segregation was an accepted fact. What she has[Read More]
As I Write This Letter*: An Homage to National Letter Writing Week
I received a number of annual letters from friends this year. This is not a type of letter I am good at writing, but I treasure it when other people can summarize their lives in one page, and I save their letters year to year. One friend has been sending her life summaries for 30[Read More]
An Unusual Town and a Unique Patriot: “A Revolutionary Trio” (Part Two)
Stockbridge, Massachusetts is known today as an elegant town, the home of the Norman Rockwell Museum, the Red Lion Inn, and the estates of author Edith Wharton and sculptor Danie Chester French. During the time of the American Revolution, it was an entirely different place, unique in its cultural and political diversity, and home to[Read More]
Bearing Witness by Preserving Stories
The past week has brought a constant stream of stories of people whose lives will have been forever changed by a policy that is ripping apart the families and children of asylum seekers…but this is not the first time actions taken by a government have had a dramatic impact on the personal histories of an[Read More]
The Power of Objects: Creating Connection Through Grown Up Show and Tell
By Pam Pacelli Cooper President, Verissima Productions On March 5, an intergenerational group of 25 people ranging in age from mid-20’s to eighty gathered in a classroom at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. The simple premise: for the event: bring an object that has meaning and tell its story. Sponsored by the curriculum committee of[Read More]
Life Preservers: November Podcast | Histories from an Historian
What was the unlikely alliance between mill girls and factory overseers? Did the immigrants of the 19th century just melt easily into American culture? Labor historian Bob Forrant of UMass Lowell begins this season of storytelling and listening with some stories of his own.
Why Bother to Seize the Moment? A Reminder for the Holiday Season
“Procrastination is the thief of time,” was one of my great grandmother’s favorite sayings. She would trot it out when she wanted me to finish a task for her, complete a homework assignment, or write a long neglected thank you note to an elderly relative. I ignored her quite often, and no dire results ensued.[Read More]
Life Preservers: October Podcast | Privies, Prostitutes, and Personal History
Prostitutes in 19th century Boston? Women-owned businesses or “soiled doves?” Or both? Join Archaeologist and historian Jade Luiz as we explore what can be learned about these women from a combination of archaeological artifacts and genealogical research. Podcast Part I: Who were they?
Poems and Personal History
Four hands, turning in coordinated motions. The swish and slap of two ropes on the concrete playground, two girls leaping in unison to the rhythm: Miss Mary Mack, Mack, Mack All dressed in black, black, black With silver buttons, buttons, buttons All down her back, back, back… A grandmother takes a restless child in her[Read More]
Life Preservers Podcast: Episode 12 – Stories in the Walls: The Actor’s Temple of New York City
How many of these names do you recognize as famous entertainers? These are their given names and many of them appear on the Memorial plaques at The Actor’s Temple. If you don’t know, Google them to find out: Benjamin Kubelsky Aaron Chwatt Sonya Kalish Edward Israel Iskowitz Shirley Schrift Mendel Berlinger Mechel Saltpeter For more[Read More]
