Stephen Wade & Matt Brown

Musician and historian Stephen Wade talks with his friend Matt Brown about Stephen's musical beginnings, studying banjo with his mentor Fleming Brown in the 1970s, and his reflections on the Old Town School then and now. Since learning to play...

Living History Project

Katherine Noone Interviewing her 75 year old grandmother, Dolores Mirabelli

Jonas Friddle & Anna Jacobson

A conversation between friends, longtime musical collaborators, and fellow Old Town School teachers Jonas Friddle and Anna Jacobson. Jonas is a singer, songwriter and old-time banjo player whose songs have received The John Lennon Songwriting Award, First Place in the...

Reggio McLaughlin

When a young Reggio "The Hoofer" McLaughlin first started tap dancing in Chicago, venues turned him away at the door, saying "we haven't booked a tap dancer since 1945!" In this conversation with his coworker Mareva Lindo, he talks about...

Ron Cohen & Bob Riesman

A conversation between Ron Cohen & Bob Riesman. This conversation was recorded at the school on May 8th, 2017. Go to www.oldtownschool.org/StoryCorps to hear selected excerpts from interviews collected as part of the StoryCorps-Old Town School partnership.

From the mountains to the city

In this interview, conducted in November 2018 in Chicago, Illinois, Athena Johnson (16) interviews her grandma Barbra Johnson (71) about her childhood in the country and her adult life in the city. Mrs.Johnson shares stories about her Christian faith. She...

Don Anderson (my dad!) interviewed my Annie Anderson (me!) on November 30, 2015 in Philadelphia, PA

Don Anderson discusses his childhood growing up in Chicago, what he's grateful for, and what kind of legacy he will leave to his children and grandchildren.

Grammy Lee Looks Back

Grammy Lee shares stories of growing up on a farm with her siblings

Biggest Wedding Ever!

In this interview, conducted in November 2017 in Chicago, Illinois, Holly Graham (17) interviews her mother Stephanie Graham (52) about her childhood years through her college years. Mrs. Graham talks a lot about her husband, their wedding and their honeymoon....

Andy Allison from the old days

Andy and Sharon talked about what it was like growing up in Chicago in the 30/40/50s.

Alisa Baum & Krista Ortgiesen

Alisa Baum and Krista Ortgiesen started taking classes and volunteering at the Old Town School in the early 2000s, and haven't left since. In this excerpt of a conversation recorded at the school on March 22nd, 2017, the longtime friends...

Larry Rand & Skip Landt

A conversation between Larry Rand & Skip Landt. This conversation was recorded at the school on July 26th, 2017. Go to www.oldtownschool.org/StoryCorps to hear selected excerpts from interviews collected as part of the StoryCorps-Old Town School partnership.

Interviewing my grandma

Interview about meems responsibilities as a child and during her life

Alex White & Jimmy Tomasello

A conversation between Alex White & Jimmy Tomasello. This conversation was recorded at the school on July 25th, 2017. Go to www.oldtownschool.org/StoryCorps to hear selected excerpts from interviews collected as part of the StoryCorps-Old Town School partnership.

The Life of David Kasprisin

We talked about his childhood, his college days, and his career that he still continues to do each day. He talked about his ups and downs, and how he succeeds.

Ms. Douglas’s child birth traumas

In this interview, conducted in November 17th , 2017, in Lincoln Park High School, Chicago, Illinois, Biljana Tanceva (16) interviews her Law teacher Miss Douglas (53) about her childhood and the beginning of her adulthood. Miss Douglas shares her story...

Julian Ross & Christopher Ross

Julian Ross has taken classes at the Old Town School for over 10 years. In this conversation with his son Christopher, Julian reflects on why this place has remained such a constant in his life, and Christopher shares some of...

Patricia Mukherjee – The Life and Times

Patricia Mukherjee (90) talks about her childhood and her life as well as her relationship with her husband.

Living Histroy project

I got to interview my grandpa about the 1960’s. it was Avery informative and cool to learn more about his experiences during that time.

Gloria Hurtado talks to her dad Agles about his life growing up

In this interview that was done on November 27, 2017 in Cicero, Illinois, Gloria Hurtado (17) interviews her dad Agles Hurtado (39) about his family and how he has evolved as a person both in Mexico and America. Mr.Hurtado talks...

Betty Nudelman

Betty Nudelman speaks with documentarian Mareva Lindo about her memories of the Old Town School community in its early years, when it was housed within the Immigrant State Bank Building at 333 W North Ave--in the Old Town neighborhood from...