Minot-Sleeper Library partnered with StoryCorps, New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR), and the Bristol, New Hampshire Historical Society to record, archive, and share stories told by the people of the Newfound Region of New Hampshire. The project invited Newfound Region community members of all ages and from diverse backgrounds to share their life experiences and stories alongside trained facilitators, who recorded the conversations, which were then shared and archived.
The mission of StoryCorps is to preserve and share humanity’s stories to build connections between people and create a more compassionate and just world. This aligns with Minot-Sleeper Library’s vision: enriching lives through community engagement. These organizational guiding statements complement the goals of our project: Bring people together in engaging ways, preserve the Newfound Region’s history, and celebrate the diversity of the community today.
All Minot Sleeper Library Interviews
Shayne Duggan [no age given] discusses the life and musical interests of Maxwell "Max" Macpherson (76).
Mother and daughter Tobey Partch-Davies (53) and Laura Davies (25) talk about Laura's birth and diagnosis of a heart condition. They discuss Laura's experience of being included in school.
Friends Lucille [No name given] (73) and Sue [No name given] (73) reflect on the books that Sue enjoyed through the different stages of her life.
Rebecca Herr (72) and Kate Allen (74) discuss their 45 year friendship, characteristics of a good friendship, and how theirs has lasted.
Friends Bella Gonzalez (25) and Zazil Davis-Vazquez (27) talk about their time in Bristol New Hampshire and exchange family stories having grown up in a Latinx household.
Garret Taoka (68) talks with Shayne Duggan (50) about his parents' time in an internment camp during WWII, his childhood, and becoming a dentist.
Richard [No name given] [no age given] interviews his wife Janet [No name given] [no age given] about being a woman as a machinist and being part of the IAMAW-Local 459 union.
Joseph "Joe" Denning (80) talks with his niece Cynthia Westfall (55) about his life in Bristol and how important the community has been for him.
Spouses Dilys Morris (71) and Leon Sharp (85) talk about Leon's early life living in the woods and logging. Leon describes his life and family/homesteading.
Friends Deborah "Debbie" Doe (70) and Andrew Harmon (36) talked about their relationship as teacher and student.
![Erica [No name given] and Elsa [No name given]](https://archive.storycorps.org/uploads/2022/05/62e96e798da9d__CTE000360_g1-450x450.jpg)
Mother and daughter Erica [no name given] (45) and Elsa [no age given] (18) talk about growing up in a small town and Elsa leaving soon for college. Elsa also talks about being prepared for the future.
Friends Jennifer Davis (46) and Audry Barriault (34) discuss their friendship, relationships, and Jennifer's late mother.
Friends Audry Barriault (34) and Abigail Reece (34) discuss travel, jobs and childhood memories.
Mother and daughter Julie Bresette (64) Audry Barriault (34) have a conversation about careers, marriage, growing up, childhood and family.
Friends Shayne Duggan (50) and Wayne Evans (87) talk about Wayne's love of baseball and his childhood, riding a train to and from high school.
Friends Lucille Keegan [no age given] and Martha Hulsman (60) talk about Martha's pottery business, 15 schools, being a caregiver and pet birds. Lucille talks about growing up in Bristol on a dairy farm and her father's interest in training...
Brenda Butt Davidson (69) interviewed friend Barbara Ann Sullivan Brooks (92) about childhood memories, her career, a trip to Europe in 1995, and the Fresh Air Fund.
Everett C. Bucklin [no age given] discusses his life of farming, fishing and growing up in the Alexandria New Hampshire area with Donna [No name given] [no age given].
Jennifer Davis (46) interviews Susan "Sue" Chadwick (69) about her family's immigrant experiences and the American dream.
Brothers Tom Keegan (74) and John Keegan (76) talk about John's experience as a Peace Corps volunteer in Panama in the 1960's and Tom's experiences in college.
Susan Laflamme (70) interviews her spouse Richard Laflamme (70) with a main focus on his early childhood and his military service in Iraq.
Alice LeBlanc (67) speaks to her sister-in-law Jennifer Davis (46) about her experience overcoming adversity.
Friends Bob Jeffreys (83) and Herb D'Arcy (78) share their stories of being in the Navy during the 1960's and 1970's.
Michelle Schulte (68) talks with her mother Barbara Greenwood (89) about her life experiences growing up in a city and moving to rural New Hampshire.