BRISTOL, Tenn.-Va.. (June 20, 2024) – The Birthplace of Country Music Museum is pleased to announce a special workshop, “Introduction to Oral History Methods,” 3 – 4 p.m. ET, on Sunday, July 14 in the Learning Center at the museum. This workshop, taught by Virginia state folklorist Katy Clune, will provide participants with an invaluable introduction to the art and science of recording oral histories. Attendees will learn about the ethics, techniques, technology, and processing of conducting interviews. The event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required due to limited capacity.
“Preserving our community’s stories is essential to understanding and celebrating our shared heritage,” said museum Head Curator Dr. Rene Rodgers. “We are thrilled to have Katy, an esteemed expert in oral history, guide us in this endeavor. This workshop is a unique opportunity for participants to learn how to capture and cherish the memories that shape our family histories and cultural fabric.”
With just a phone and a curious mind, you can begin preserving the cherished memories of your family and community. Katy Clune, with her extensive experience and wisdom gathered from interviewing hundreds of individuals over the past decade, will offer her insights and advice to participants.
Katy Clune is the director of the Virginia Folklife Program, an initiative dedicated to sustaining and empowering the diverse cultures and traditions within the Commonwealth. She has devoted her career to fostering cultural connections and creating platforms for communities and artists to share their stories.
Katy has held positions with prestigious organizations, including the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, The Textile Museum, the Center for the Study of the American South at UNC Chapel Hill, and Duke University’s arts initiative. In 2021 she was awarded the Archie Green Fellowship from the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress to document the stories of repair professionals across North America. Katy holds a Bachelor’s in art history from U.C. Berkeley and an M.A. in folklore from UNC Chapel Hill.
To pre-register for the workshop, visit the Events page at BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.