Oral History: fall recordings have been posted

It's that time of year—as we edge toward semester's end and the holidays, students in the Curatorial Studies course prepare to listen to someone important to them. That is, they complete an oral history project. This project mirrors, on a smaller scale, the National Day of Listening and the Story Corps project. 

This past Friday was our class's day of listening (and we will continue on Monday). In addition to hearing a variety of stories from the individuals that the students elected to spend time with, we marked a transition in moving from curating objects, writing wall text and online texts for historical markers, and digging in the dirt to curating non-objects—that is, digital files. 

If you click the link here, you'll be connected to our viral voices page, the home of our oral histories. In the 2013 edition, you'll be able to listen to conversations between students in our class and the following: an alternative hip hop artist from Lexington; a retired Lieutenant Colonel and psychiatrist; the youngest daughter of a Southern Baptist preacher; a Carlisle County couple who share their stories with a kettle of apple butter on the stove; a retired Sergeant Major who played ball against Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; a Kentucky restauranteur-turned-engineer; and a Dry Ridge couple who live on and tend a farm. 


As my contribution to the class, I sat down with President Blevins on Thursday, October 17th, a few days short of her departure from her role as President of Georgetown College. This oral history addressed President Blevins' ties to the College, her beginnings in business, her advice to young alumni, and her vision for the College.  You may listen to her interview here. Another link is available here.

Interim President of Georgetown College
 Granetta Blevins

Who would you interview if you were assigned the task of spending time with someone important to you? My answer is below—my mentor from Case Western Reserve University. I hope that I have the opportunity to do so. 

Dr. Juilee Decker with Professor Harvey Buchanan
in the Baroque Gallery at the Cleveland Museum of Art, May 2011

We hope you enjoy our recordings. Happy listening!