Training Offered On How To Conduct Oral Histories, Honor Veterans

GREENPORT, NY — The stories of those who've made the greatest sacrifice must be collected and preserved for posterity.

That's why the Southold Historical Society is partnering the Brecknock Hall Foundation and Peconic Landing for a day of training in how to collect oral history from the nation's veterans.

Training to become involved with "The Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress," will be offered on March 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Brecknock Hall, located at 1 Brecknock Road in Greenport.

The event is free to all participants.

The training will be conducted by Dr. Ellen McHale, executive director of the New York Folklore Society, located in Schenectady, New York.

Karen Lund Rooney, Director of the Southold Historical Society, will be onhand to provide support for all activities.

Since 2000, McHale has served as a trainer for the Veteran’s History Project of the Library of Congress and has trained interviewers in Pennsylvania, New York and Maryland.

"Founded by an act of the United States Congress in 2000, the Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war," a release said.

Each veteran that contributes to the project has an individual webpage.

The training on March 29 will provide information on how to collect oral histories, with those involved able to practice interviewing.

Next, participants will also learn how to send their interviews to the Library of Congress so that their work will become a part of the Veterans History Project. Interviewers are encouraged to also share their oral histories with local historical societies, the release said.

Individuals, as well as organizations, are encouraged to be a part of the project and training. All must be pre-registered by March 22.

To register, email Karen Lund Rooney at K.Lund@optonline.net with a name, organization name, email, and phone number. Registration is only open to a maximum of 75 participants, so those interested are asked to register early.

This event is being sponsored by the Brecknock Hall Foundation, Peconic Landing, and the Southold Historical Society .

Photo of a Southold Veterans' Day Celebration by Lisa Finn.