We are delighted that Dr Lorraine McConaghy, Public Historian at the Museum of History & Industry, Seattle, is proposing that University District Museum Without Walls work with her class on a new project in early 2011. Her UW Museology class, "Oral History Research Methods," scheduled for Winter Qtr, 2011, will give students the chance to conduct an oral history project to document the experiences and perspectives of people who live and work in the U District. Students will conduct digital video or audio interviews of about one hour each which will be transcribed and with rights assigned to the Seattle Public Library. Interviews will conform to the standards set by the Oral History Association and the Society of American Archivists.

     The UDMWW committee will assist the class in developing categories of perspectives and experiences that should be represented and in identifying individuals willing to be interviewed. The library will house this collection at the Main and University Branches along with the oral history DVD already produced by Museum Without Walls. Additionally, Museum Without Walls may extend the project by continuing to record interviews or by producing a DVD, documentary, podcast, publication, walking tour, signage or exhibit.

     Beyond these goals, we hope to generate a sense of community, identity and ownership within the University District through the participation of a group of its citizens. Ideally, the first phase of the project will end with a reception for all participants to meet one another.