Alumna, professors discuss
preserving history through storytelling
by Emma Laperruque '14
PRODUCTION EDITOR
April 3, 2011
“You don’t know how much your story matters,” said Judy Silverstein Gray, K ’78, at the “Missing Voices, Found Stories” workshop on Saturday afternoon in the Kirner Johnson Red Pit.
Silverstein Gray, co-chair of the Kirkland Archives, Media and Publication Committee, helped to lead this conversation “on preserving narrative,” in addition to Associate Professor of Philosophy Katheryn Doran and James L. Ferguson Professor of History Maurice Isserman. Professor of Art William Salzillo was also scheduled to host, but was unable to attend.
Both Isserman and Doran discussed how modern day, technologically-dictated, written communication is losing richness and power, and how a lack of thoughtful letters, and surplus of careless texts, will leave missing pieces in our histories.
“Missing Voices, Found Stories” entreated attendees tell their stories, not only to preserve their own past, but to preserve the past of their associated institutions.
Along with discussing various means of communication and archives, attendees shared stories about Kirkland and Hamilton College. A photo of Kirkland President Samuel Babbitt was projected at the front of the room, old issues of The Spectator were shared, and two pieces of paper circulated, encouraging people to write down memories and sentiments. One unsigned message shared, in the spirit of the workshop: “I’m proud that Kirkland’s heart keeps beating.”