Yasmín González

She mostly talked about her dad being a very strong man and taking care of her family. Her and her mom watch movies every New Year on her mother’s birthday. Her mother passed away when she was 15 years old....

Peggy Lipschutz & Peggy Browning

A conversation between Peggy Lipschutz and Peggy Browning. This conversation was recorded at the school on October 14th, 2017. Go to www.oldtownschool.org/StoryCorps to hear selected excerpts from interviews collected as part of the StoryCorps-Old Town School partnership.

Tisa Batchelder & Gregg Ostrom

A conversation between partners and musical collaborators Gregg Ostrom and Tisa Batchelder, who met many years ago at the Old Town School, where they work. They share memories of their first encounters with the school, of their long courtship, and...

Ella Jenkins

Born in St. Louis on August 6th, 1924, and raised on Chicago's South side, Ella Jenkins was the first person in line on the opening night of the Old Town School of Folk Music, December 1st, 1957. At the time,...

Charles Kim & Kim Bellware

A conversation between Charles Kim, Guitar and Songwriting teacher at Old Town School since 1999 and Kim Bellware, friend and student. Kim and Charles discuss the effect of YouTube on classes at Old Town School, and how people choose to...

Heidi Onion for Stonewall OutLoud, Part 1

Heidi talks about growing up, feeling like she always had a “boy’s brain,” her first love, coming out in her 20s, and becoming a police officer and self defense instructor.

Daughter’s Mother

My mom talking about her life story.

The 1960’s

I spoke with a very close family friend (a grandfather to me) about his experience in the 60’s. We spoke of Kennedy, the National Guard, Vietnam War, Segregation, and more.

Na’Taki Osborne Jelks

This story tells a short snippet of work in Atlanta, GA to grow a community-centered movement on Atlanta’s westside to seek environmental justice through improved water quality and shared water governance.

Thanksgiving listen

In this interview, conducted in November 2017 in Chicago, Illinois, Andrew Romanelli (17) interviews Stephanie Romanelli (51) about her childhood and through school age years. Stephanie shares stories about bullying in junior high. She also shares about her summer life,...

Charlotte Bader

A conversation with Charlotte Bader. 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.

Ancestor Interveiw Pat Ritchie

2nd generation Irish-American woman interviewed by her grandson

Alicia Lopez and her aunt Veronica Martinez talk about their family

In this interview, conducted in November 2018 in Chicago, Illinois, Alicia Lopez (16) interviews her aunt Veronica Martinez (50) about their family. Ms. Martinez shares stories about her childhood and what it was like growing up as the oldest of...

River McNeely-Wiersema (6) interviews his great-grandmother Rina Pullia (85)

River McNeely-Wiersema (6) talks with his great-grandmother Rina Pullia (85) about her childhood in Carbonara di Bari, Italy, immigrating to the US, spring in Vermont and Chicago, climbing trees, and their favorite fruits. 2020-04-26

Gloria: "I was still invisible"

Gloria sits down with a member of EZRA's Social Action Team to discuss Chicago's South Side and Uptown neighborhoods, being white passing, and systemic racism.