Evelyn Cope with Brother James Burkett and his wife Phyllis.

My Mother Evelyn Cope interviewing her Brother James Burkett during a visit to his home in 2016. James began suffering from Alzheimer's disease and passed away in 2019.

Part 2 Evelyn Cope Interviewing her Brother Ed Burkett

Part 2 of 2 My mother Evelyn Cope interviewing her brother Ed Burkett at his home in Pennsylvania

Grandma Kaminski talks about her childhood

I am Connor Kaminski, one of the youngest grandchildren of my grandmother Alice Kaminski. She is the oldest living member of my entire extended family and the last of my grandparents. Turning 87 in 2018, she is an inspiration because...

Steven Rauscher and Harry Jamison – "You Seem Like the Happiest One"

Steven Rauscher (33) and Harry Jamison (29) discuss the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on employment, opportunity, and happiness in the City of Brotherly Love. Recording issues dogged the first half (and even a bit of the second half) of...

Coleman Wilson Family Interview Vol. I

Community elders, Calvin Coleman and his sister, Betty Ann Wilson discuss growing up in the Historically African American Section of Swarthmore.

Martin Isack and Lesley Ambika Gibbs, Reflections on Life

Marty, age 62, is interviewed by his friend Ambika, age 52. Marty describes making some big mid-life decisions to change the course of his life and stay true to himself.

Content with My Life

Charles King feels that he has led a good life. He feels fortunate to have obtained a good education, have a successful career as a jazz pianist, and now has the opportunity to teach piano to kids.

Lizzie Hessek and Veronica Fischmann Talk About Stability and Drama During a Pandemic.

Lizzie Hessek (31) and Veronica Fischmann (32) - best friends since ages 11 and 12 - talk about their current lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Veronica is back living in her childhood home, Lizzie is living alone for the first...

Common Ground Tacony Oral History Project: Troy

Part owner of Sawtown Tavern, Troy Everwine, speaks candidly about the arts, vegan diets, Ida Dunnum, the LGBTQ community and the progression of the Tacony community in Philadelphia. We talk about Troy's performances on stage in Center City, the proudest...

Common Ground Tacony Oral History Project: John Cambridge

The Butterfly Pavilion in Holmesberg, Philadelphia, PA is lovingly owned and run by John Cambridge. After a tumultuous start in a dubious situation, John and his small staff that feels like family banded together to make a thriving success of...

COVID-19 Interview

Craig Britton (49) speaks about his experiences with COVID-19.

Common Ground Tacony Oral History Project: Cyril Van Landingham

Originally from Connecticut Cyril moved to Philadelphia to live with his Grandparents after the loss of both of his parents. Cyril and I talk about his day job working in the school system, how he went to Fisk University and...

Common Ground Tacony Oral History Project: Keith Tomaselli

Fishtown Beer Runner and native Philadelphian, Keith Tomaselli inspires us with stories of the inception of the beer runner community that has started in Philadelphia and has grown into a small but important charitable organization across the world. Keith tells...

Common Ground Tacony Oral History Project: Rafaela

Rafaela is a long time resident of North East Philadelphia and frequently attends art classes at Mural Arts Philadelphia Tacony. Rafaela speaks about her experiences being born in Philadelphia and partially being raised in South Korea and Philadelphia and then...

Alice "Putty" Willetts. A Swarthmorean Life.

Alice "Putty" Willetts grew up in Swarthmore, and has lived here nearly 100 years. She is interviewed by her former gym class student who is now also a senior citizen, Barbara Bernhardt. Putty taught gym for decades. She was on...