Mission
The mission of the MVM Oral History Center is to
promote the preservation and collection of Vineyard history, past and present,
through recorded oral history interviews and related materials. In 1993, the Center
was established at the Martha's Vineyard Museum (previously known as the Martha's
Vineyard Historical Society). The curator of the MVM Oral History Center is Linsey
Lee. Ms. Lee
can reached by phone at 508-627-4441, ext. 113 or by email at
.
In considering a society's collective memory and historical consciousness,
anthropologists and historians have long regarded individual oral testimonies
to be a key factor in shaping a shared memory and identity. Moreover, these individual
memories can serve to influence a society's shared set of attitudes, beliefs,
and practices. Today, people of the Vineyard are constantly faced with decision
which will have a lasting effect on the quality of life on Martha's Vineyard.
An understanding of the values and decision made in the past are of great importance.
These recorded memories and observations of various Vineyarders deepen our understanding
and appreciation of the past, broaden our awareness of the unique qualities of
the Vineyard, and inform our individual and collective decisions regarding the
Island.
Hearing the actual voices of the speaker gives vibrancy and
immediacy to the histories and recollections of life on Martha's Vineyard preserved
in the interviews. The vivid and often divergent personal perceptions of life
captured in oral histories afford a sense of the past which goes beyond written
histories. When using the MVM Oral History Archive the public is encouraged to
listen to the tapes, and transcriptions of the interviews are available. Click here (PDF file) to view a listing of all transcripts available in the Library.
Scope of the Collection
The MVM Oral History Center has established
an archive of oral history interviews with over 400 Vineyard people conducted
over the last 40 years by numerous collectors. The Archive of tapes, transcripts
and photos is housed at the Martha's Vineyard Museum. Reference copies of the
master tapes and transcripts are available in the Oral History Archive at the
Gale Huntington Library to scholars, Island residents and the general public for
education, research and enjoyment.
If planning a trip to the Library, visitors
are encouraged to contact the Librarian prior to visiting the MVM campus. The
Librarian can be reached at: 508-627-4441, ext. 122.
Interviews
The ongoing mission of the MVM
Oral History Center is to conduct interviews of residents and visitors. In addition
to the Oral History Archive, photo/text exhibits, books and films are created
from the interviews to increase public awareness and access to the collection.
The Center also leads workshops to encourage and train individuals and groups
to collect oral testimonies and to promote creative and innovative projects using
oral histories.
Island School Projects
Working with the Vineyard schools is also a priority of the Oral History Center.
In collaboration with the Historical Society's Education Department, the Center
is active with all levels of the Vineyard schools. Using oral history techniques,
students become active participants in their learning; they have the opportunity to
work with primary sources, and to realize the richness of their community as a
classroom. The exhibits they create from their work are displayed at the Children's
Gallery at the Historical Society.
Community
Outreach
The MVM Oral History Center is actively involved with Island
Community Organizations: the Island Senior Centers, with Camp Jabberwocky (for
children and adults with cerebral palsy and other disabilities), Martha's Vineyard
Community Services, Island churches and temples, Windemere (the hospital's long-term
care facility) and other organizations. These projects offer exhilarating interactions
of group interviews, and, at the same time, the therapeutic use of oral history
-- giving people the time to speak and be heard, and to be reminded that the stories
of their lives are a vital and a fascinating part of their community's fabric.
Exhibits
The exhibit Vineyard Voices,
photographic portraits of Vineyarders with excerpts from their oral history interviews,
present a sense of the wealth of insights, memories, and humor that can be found
in the MVM Oral History collections.
Drawing from the MVM Oral History Center collections, a number of exhibits are
located on the Island. The largest of the permanent exhibits is located at the
Martha's Vineyard Museum. Smaller exhibits can be found at both the Vineyard Haven
Steamship Terminal and the West Tisbury Library. Additionally, a temporary exhibit
of images and text is displayed at the Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Fair every
August.
Film and Radio
Vineyard
Voices - American Stories, a work-in-progress film, features excerpts from audio
and video oral history interviews with ten Vineyarders combined with seldom seen
archival photographs and film footage. Completed segments from the film may be
viewed at the Historical Society and at showings around the Island. Audio excerpts
from interviews in our collection can be heard on NationalPublic Radio.
Published Works
 Linsey
Lee's Vineyard Voices, Words, Faces and Voices of Island People" contains interviews
and black and white photographic portraits of 75 Island people. The work was published
by the Martha's Vineyard Museum in 1998. This work represents the first volume
of published transcripts and images from the collection.
In 2005, Linsey Lee authored a companion work to the first volume of oral histories.
"More Vineyard Voices - Words, Faces and Voices of Island People"
contains photo
portraits of Island people and excerpts from oral history interviews conducted
by Ms. Lee.
Both works are available at local bookstores and at the MVM's
Museum Shop. These works can be ordered directly from the MVM by visiting the
MVM campus in Edgartown or by clicking on Museum Shop.
The Oral History Center welcomes
new additions to its collection of audio and video oral histories (along with
photographs and related materials). If you are interested in donating materials
to the Oral History Center or have suggestions of people to interview, please
contact Linsey Lee directly at 508-627-4441, ext. 113.
The Center also
welcomes volunteer assistance in the conducting of interviews, the cataloging
of materials, and the transcribing of interviews. Please send email directly to
Linsey Lee at:
or call 508 627 4441 x113.
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