Oral History Symposium - Spring 2026

How can we build community in our oral history and storytelling projects?

** Note that this event is sold out - but please email Judith Monachina jmonachi@berkshirecc.edu to inquire about special circumstances or cancellations!

We will hear from an expert whose career has been build on this theme, from another group that recently finished their first community oral history project, and others.

Join us for a day of conversation and learning; meeting people, getting inspired.
Our presenters include:

• Alisa Del Tufo, founder and CEO of the Threshold Collaborative and co-founder of Groundswell Initiative. She pursues community healing and justice, using oral history, restorative practices, transformative education and participatory action research.

• Sarah-Jane Poindexter, a Roving Archivist for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, travels the state to help cultural institutions manage their collections. She is also an oral historian who understands both worlds.

• Jean Minuchin, artist and arts educator, and Anaelisa Jacobsen, founder of Manos Unidas, recently completed “Raíces de Cuentos/Roots of Stories,” a community oral history project in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, that resulted in an art exhibition and archived stories with the Digital Commonwealth.

• There will be ‘table time’ for talking with each other, too.

This venue and format are conducive to a comfortable, productive, and invigorating day.

Tickets are $30 per person and includes the symposium, coffee/tea, and lunch!