Have you ever wanted to capture the story of a friend, family member, neighbor, or acquaintance? The North Dakota’s State Archives will offer three free workshops focused on recording and preserving oral histories. Each workshop will cover the fundamentals of capturing oral histories, share practical tips on how to conduct interviews, and build confidence to document personal stories.
Oral histories play an important role in documenting everyday experiences and preserving North Dakota’s history for future generations.
The same workshop will be offered on three dates and in multiple formats:
- Saturday, Jan. 24, 1 p.m. — In-person, Classroom, North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum, Bismarck
- Wednesday, Feb. 4, 11 a.m. — In-person, State Archives Reading Room, ND Heritage Center & State Museum, Bismarck
- Thursday, Feb. 12, noon — Virtual livestream on the State Archives Facebook page
Registration is encouraged for the in-person sessions on Eventbrite, at OralHistories.eventbrite.com. The program is open to ages 10 and older and free to attend.
This event is part of both the ND250 commemoration of the United States’ 250th birthday this year and Vinterfest, a month-long celebration of winter on the northern Plains featuring educational programs, outdoor recreation, and cultural traditions.
The State Archives, located inside the ND Heritage Center & State Museum in Bismarck, is responsible for acquiring, preserving, and referencing the documentary holdings of the State Historical Society of North Dakota. The State Archives is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and the second Saturday of each month, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The ND Heritage Center & State Museum is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, contact Head of Reference Services Sarah Walker, 701.328.2091 or smwalker@nd.gov. Find additional upcoming events at statemuseum.nd.gov/events.