Oral History Mid-Atlantic Region
and
Veterans History Project Present:

Oral History Workshop Day
Friday, September 27, 2002

Library of Congress, Jefferson Building
Washington, D.C.
Rooms LJ 113 and LJ 119

Workshop Recap: Cosponsored by OHMAR and the Veterans History Project, Workshop Conference Day, September 27, 2002, took place at the Library of Congress and included four workshops (two in the morning and two in the afternoon) and an informal buffet lunch. The Program Chair, Robert Grathwol, reported that almost 70 people attended, and OHMAR gained 22 members. Brien Williams, former OHMAR president, led the Beginners Workshop; former president Don Ritchie and current president Donita Moorhus discussed Advanced Oral History Issues and led a lively Q&A session. David Winkler of the Navy Historical Foundation brought a team to present information on the Sea Service Oral History Conservation Program, through which the Navy and Marine Corps are digitizing more than 10,000 interviews. John Lonnquest, Bill Baldwin, and Jean Diaz, all staff from the Corps of Engineers History Office, and Douglas Wilson, independent transcriber, gave a workshop on Transcribing, Editing, and Publishing oral history interviews. OHMAR is a Partner in the Veterans History Project, and several staff from the project attended workshops. See below for original agenda.

 


8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Registration and continental breakfast
   
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon Workshops: Preregistration Required
   
a. Oral History Interviewing: The Basics
  Presenter: Stan Schuchman, free-lance oral historian

This workshop combines a multi-disciplinary overview of oral history with how to set up a program or a project; approaches to costs and funding issues; the importance of preparatory research; and basic interviewing techniques. Recommended for beginning to intermediate practitioners.
b. Archival Storage: New Electronic Options
  Presenters: Dave Winkler, Navy Historical Foundation, with Merrilee Wilson, contractor; Fred Graboske, archivist at Marine Corps Historical Center; Gary Weir, Naval Historical Center
Hear about a Navy and Marine Corps project to convert analog tapes to digital format using Otari equipment while learning about other, cheaper alternatives; includes a discussions of costs and benefits, with demonstrations and examples. Recommended for all practitioners.
12:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Box Lunch – Whittal Pavilion, Jefferson Building
   
1:30 – 4:30 p.m. Workshops: Preregistration Required
   
a. Transcribing, Editing, and Publication
  Presenters: John Lonnquest, Corps of Engineers History Office; William C. Baldwin, Corps of Engineers History Office; Jean Diaz, editor, Corps of Engineers History Office; Doug Wilson, free-lance transcriber

Learn the art of transcribing from the perspective of the transcriber and the user; including editing interviews; and considerations for using oral history in different types of publications. Workshop will include examples. Recommended for beginning to advanced practitioners.

 
b. Oral History Interviewing: Advance Practice Issues
  Presenters: Don Ritchie, Senate Historical Office, and Donita Moorhus, R & D Associates

This workshop covers tough issues faced in the interview situation, including traumatic and sensitive events such as natural disasters and 9/11; interviewing celebrities; group interviews; and confused interviewees. Recommended for the intermediate to advanced practitioners.

Directions to OHMAR Workshop Day:

The Thomas Jefferson Building is located at First St. and Independence Ave., SE, Washington, DC. OHMAR recommends using public transportation, specifically the Washington subway, Metro. The nearest Metro stop is Capitol South on the Blue and Orange Lines. You can find a map and other information about Metro at: http://www.wmata.com. Once you exit the station, walk up the hill, following the signs to the LOC Jefferson Building. Enter through the visitor entrance onFirstt street. NOTE: There are no parking garages in the area.

Names of registered participants will be provided to the security guards for admission to the Thomas Jefferson Building between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m., before the building is open to the public. Please allow adequate time for the security screening.

These pages last updated February 15, 2006

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