LIVINGSTON – The Alabama Black Belt Heritage Area and Kathryn Tucker Windham Museum at Alabama Southern Community College will host an afternoon of sharing and preserving stories Friday, Nov. 19 at the ASCC campus in Thomasville.
A vital part of the cultural preservation of the Black Belt, “where the stories are as rich as the land” storytelling has played an essential role in carrying traditions through the ages of the region’s residents.
“The people of Alabama’s Black Belt are known for always sharing a story; whether it is food, family, or past events, these stories are an important part of the culture that define the region. This workshop will introduce participants to ways that they can preserve these important stories through oral histories and storytelling,” said Wimberly C. Comer, interim director of the ABBHA.
Famed storyteller Joyce Cauthen of the Alabama Humanities Foundation will offer the keynote address, “Please Pass the Folklore” to begin the workshop.
Assisted by Zach Robinson, Cauthen will also lead an oral history workshop on beginning to document oral histories. In a concurrent session, Deborah Rankins of ASCC and Linda Vice of Southwest Alabama Tourism will discuss storytelling as a means of getting involved with organizations and events. Sessions will be followed by a tour of the Kathryn Tucker Windham Museum.
Registration is required for the workshop. The fee for the course is $20 and includes lunch.
For more information or to register, contact Deborah Rankins at (334) 637-3146.