Lethbridge – The Archives department at the Galt Museum & Archives will be a busy place this fall: in addition to regular research opportunities and the monthly Archives Programs, a special two-part Community Oral History Workshop—presented in partnership with the University of Lethbridge Centre for Oral History & Tradition—will be held on consecutive Friday afternoons from 1-4pm, November 7 and 14, with registration open October 1-November 1.

This special workshop is open to those interested in creating an oral history project in their community or family. Participants will learn about the practice, ethics, and logistics of oral history interviewing, from instructors with direct experience in oral history projects, including the Galt’s Archivist Andrew Chernevych, and four U of L experts: Dr. Jenna Bailey, Department of History, and a Visiting Research Fellow for the Centre for Life History and Life Writing Research at the University of Sussex; Karissa Patton, Masters student in History; Professor Emeritus Dr. James Tagg; and Dr. Carol Williams, Associate Professor and cultural historian.

“Scholars associated with the newly-formed Centre for Oral History & Tradition at the University of Lethbridge are delighted to announce our first partnership event with the Galt Museum & Archives,” says Dr. Heidi MacDonald, Executive Director of COHT. “The Oral History Community workshop wishes to nurture new connections with community and family historians,” she explains.  

“The workshop is a unique opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills on oral history method,” adds Andrew Chernevych, Archivist at the Galt. “Often community groups proceed by trial and error, without a good system in place, and this can handicap a project. Now you don’t have to invent bicycle – this is your chance to learn from experts and make it efficient.”

Registration is required for the Community Oral History Workshop: fees are $70/person or $25 for seniors and students (GST will be added). Call 403.320-3954 to register, or stop in at the Galt Museum & Archives between October 1 and November 1. Additional registration and workshop details, including instructor information, are available online. Enrollment numbers are limited to 26 so please register early.

For details on Galt Museum & Archives happenings visit www.galtmuseum.com, call 403.320-3954, or email info@galtmuseum.com.

Background

the Centre for Oral history and Tradition (COHT) located at the University of Lethbridge, seeks to further excellence in the practice of oral history in our academic milieu and in the southern Alberta community at large. COHT helps to identify, establish and assist oral history projects undertaken in southern Alberta in general, and provides links to the outer research world. For more information about our aims and participating scholars and projects, contact Executive Director Dr. Heidi MacDonald by email: heidi.macdonald@uleth.ca or visit the COHT website.