PA State Archives
The complete collection can be found on YouTube by clicking here.
Scroll down to view descriptions and links to the individual recordings.
Growing and Sharing Community History -
Caitlyn Oiye Coon, Densho
Recorded February 13, 2023
Click here to access the YouTube Video
Building a More Inclusive Archives -
Dominique Luster, The Luster Company.
Recorded January 12, 2023
Click here to access the YouTube Video
(Re)Writing Community History
Recorded April 21, 2022
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Preserving Your Community's Audio and Visual Materials
Recorded December 21, 2021
Moving images and recorded sound come in many forms like film, tape, discs, and digital. All of them are fragile in different ways and present unique challenges when they preserve a community's history. Learn how Sandra Yates and the Community Archiving Workshop organization has helped community groups all across the Unites States preserve their audiovisual materials.
Click here to access the YouTube Video.
Digitizing Community History
Recorded August 31, 2021
The records and artifacts that tell a community’s history are often times preserved in many different places such as individual homes, businesses, religious organizations, and with civic groups. By digitizing these materials, a community can bring their history and memories together in one place and make them easier to share. Join us to learn how Cambria Memory Project have been working to digitize and preserve community history in Cambria County, PA, and how your community might preserve its own history.
Presenter: Dr. Barbara Zaborowski, Cambria Memory Project
Click here to access the YouTube Video.
Preserving Your Congregation's History
Recorded May 6, 2021
Many communities are brought together by shared religious views, beliefs and experiences. Preserving the stories of congregations— whether they are newly formed or have gathered for generations— is critical to understanding that community's history and the larger history we all share. Join us to learn how Mother Bethel AME Church, Christ Church, Philadelphia, and Beth Sholom Congregation of Johnstown have been working to preserve the records and stories of their congregations and how your worship community might preserve its own history.
Speakers: Margaret Jerrido, Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church Carol Smith, Christ Church, Philadelphia Barry Rudel, Beth Sholom Congregation of Johnstown
Click here to access the YouTube Video.
Lessons Learned From the Black Bethlehem Project
Recorded February 10, 2021
The Black Bethlehem Project is a first-of-its kind effort that seeks to document the experiences of Bethlehem's Black community. Since 2020 it has collected oral histories, documents, and photographs. Learn how librarian M. Rayah Levy started the project, found resources and support, and built up trust with the community to preserve their history.
Speaker:
M. Rayah Levy, Bethlehem Area Public Library
Click here to access the YouTube Video.
Documenting and Preserving Community Cemeteries
Recorded January 26, 2021
Burial grounds and cemeteries are among the most valuable historic resources we have. They provide a direct link to the history of the individuals and communities where they are located. Discover how the Pennsylvania Hallowed Grounds Project, Historic Eden Cemetery, and Friends of Lebanon Cemetery are working to preserve their community history with an emphasis on African American cemeteries across Pennsylvania.
Speakers:
Barbara Barksdale, Pennsylvania Hallowed Grounds Project
V. Chapman Smith, Eden Cemetery Historical and Archival Records Care Grant Manager
Samantha Dorm, Friends of Lebanon Cemetery
Click here to access the YouTube Video.
Collaborating with Curators and Archivists to Preserve Community History
Recorded December, 2020
How can a community start preserving the many stories that make up its history? Discover how the Western Pennsylvania Disability History and Action Consortium has collaborated with the Senator John Heinz History Center to develop a unique community preservation strategy to preserve and share the stories of Western Pennsylvanians with disabilities. We'll share the ins and outs of this partnership and how it can be replicated for other communities and historical organizations.
Speakers:
Tina Calabro, Founding Member and Disability History Consultant, Western Pennsylvania Disability History and Action Consortium
Sierra Green, Archivist, Senator John Heinz History Center
Anne Madarasz, Director of the Curatorial Division and Chief Historian, Senator John Heinz History Center, Director of the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum.
Emily Ruby, Curator, Senator John Heinz History Center
Click here to access the YouTube Video.
Caring for Artifacts and Objects
Recorded November 18, 2020
A pocket watch. Dog tags. A quilt. Trophies. Whether they're brand new or passed down through many generations, objects carry the stories of our communities and are just as important to preserve as photographs, documents and oral histories. Join us as we discuss ways to handle, clean, and store your important family and/or community artifacts.
Speakers:
Rachel Yerger- Museum Curator, PHMC Bureau of Historic Sites and Museums
Dodie Robbins- Collection Manager, Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.
Click here to access the YouTube Video.
Where To Find Money and Assistance
Recorded September 18, 2020
There are many places that communities can go to find advice, funding, and partners to help preserve their history and memories. In this session we will discuss some of the resources available in Pennsylvania and where communities can go for more help.
Speakers:
Dana Payne, Director of Diverse Cultures and Heritage at the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts
Dr. Jennifer Garcon, member of Archivists for Black Lives in Philadelphia
Laurie Zierer, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Humanities Council
Josh Stahlman, Archivist, Pennsylvania State Archives; Historical & Archival Records Care Grants; Archives without Tears
Click here to access the YouTube Video.
What if your History is Not Written?
Recorded September 16, 2020
What if your community’s history isn’t written down? Learn how to capture the verbal memories of your community or family members and preserve them for future generations.
Speaker: Pam Whitenack, Director Emerita, Hershey Community Archives
Click here to access the YouTube Video.
Capturing Black History through the Lens of Black Art
Recorded September 15, 2020
Using art as the power to interpret memories, when traditional photography does not exist for your community, and the story still needs to be told.
Speaker: Ophelia Chambliss, Artist, Commissioner, PA Historical & Museum Commission
Click here to access the YouTube Video.
Organizing a Community to Preserve its History
Recorded September 14, 2020
How does a community begin preserving its history? Learn how the LGBT Center of Central PA History Project first organized, found volunteers, and collected stories and history from members of the LGBT community in Central Pennsylvania.
Speaker: Barry Loveland, Chair, LGBT Center of Central PA History Project
