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Father talks about his life growing up in Italy vs. the life of kids now in America

Mary Jane Anderson discusses her childhood in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago, her work at the Santa Fe Railroad, and her religious and family life.

Old Town School teachers Barb Silverman and Jess McIntosh talk about teaching at the school, experiences as women in a male-dominated music community, and reflections on their friendship over the years. Barb is a clogger and multi-instrumentalist who performs in...

A conversation between friends, bluegrass musicians and fellow Old Town School coworkers Colby Maddox and John Huber. Colby has been managing the Resource Center and teaching mandolin at the school since 1999. John has been working at the school since...

“My childhood was actually great!” In November of 2018, ninth grade student, Olivia Foxman interviewed her grandmother, Shelly Foxman. Olivia learns about Shelly’s admirable  childhood post World War ll. Shelly’s story starts in 1951 in Chicago, but her family's story originates...

Interviewing Dad about his life on his visit to Arcata, CA summer 2018.

Sometime in the late 1970s, Skip Landt walked into the Old Town School on Armitage to sing in the community chorus. Today he's been teaching harmonica at the school for over 30 years. Here he talks to student-turned-teacher Rick Sherry,...

My grandmother and I talked about her story and her acceptance of Jesus Christ as her savior. Growing up she never really was religious however she had an experience where she started to believe in Jesus Christ. Her religion means...

Chicago public employee give her insights.

The office

We had a talk about his childhood, family, and his time in the military.

Michael Brant DeMaria (48) and his father Francesco DeMaria (81) talk about fathers, sons, art and life.

A conversation between Rebecca Armstrong & Mareva Lindo. This conversation was recorded at the school on July 13th, 2017. Go to www.oldtownschool.org/StoryCorps to hear selected excerpts from interviews collected as part of the StoryCorps-Old Town School partnership.

This is the life of my dad who has lived 76 years in Vermont and lived a humble, hardworking life!

Talked to my mother about about family in the past and what our family has become now

Seto You, age 92/93 or 97/98, is interviewed by his son, Ed You, age 26, about his early days in the USA. He arrived from China in 1916, worked as a cook in this country well into his 80's. He...

Raúl Fernández talks with his bandmate and mentee Camilo Rincón about Chicago's Mexican traditional music community, its connections to the Old Town School, and their experiences together as part of the group Jarochicanos. Raúl has been involved at the school...

In this interview, conducted on November 26, 2017 in Chicago, IL. Najabelle Oscar (16) interviews her mother, Magalie (47) about her teenage years and making an impact. She shares how she loved school as a teenager and how her life...

I interviewed my grandfather to find out more about life in Italy back in the 50s.

Robert Hellenga (78) talks with Joseph Lennon (51) about their friendship of 34 years. Hellenga taught Lennon from 1986-1990, and was his mentor. They talked about literature, pens, music, Italian food, and Knox College. Hellenga is in hospice with neuroendocrine...

Joe Picone sits down to interview his grandmother Maria Lacroce about her life. She was born in Italy, immigrated to the USA in 1954 and spent her childhood in South Philadelphia.

John Ford, a long-time client of EZRA's, sits down with a member of EZRA's Social Action team to discuss his experiences growing up as a Black man in Chicago, working with EZRA, and gentrification in Uptown, Chicago.

My mom talked about her family’s past and her family’s immigration to New York from Italy. She really presents a story about the “American Dream”

This interview covers topics of preparing for climate change-induced disasters within the scope of a large city, and how precious experiences may or may not have helped to shape those behaviors

Interviewing my grandmother, Elisabetta, who immigrated from Italy to America with 8 children and one on the way.