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C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience

Chester River Stories Project

 

studentsStudents present the stories they heard about life along the Chester River in a program engaging local community members.

The Chester River has played a vital role in shaping Chestertown and the region’s history, culture, and economy. Exploring the intimate connection of people to the local waterfront, Washington College students gathered oral history interviews for the anthropology class “Stories of the Chester River” in Spring 2015. In a culminating event, they invited community guests to add their own recollections of living and working along the waterfront. 

“Recalling memories of living in Chestertown through past decades with a general focus on the waterfront has helped our students to better understand the process and pace of change at the neighborhood level,” said Michael Buckley, the StoryQuest Program Manager at the Starr Center, who co-taught the “Stories of the Chester River” class with Lani Seikaly, president of the nonprofit RiverArts. “Sharing the stories of long-time Chestertonians in a public forum can build inspiration and broaden our perspectives about where we have come from and where we choose to go next,” he added.

To listen to the the Stories of the Chester River interviews, visit the project’s iTune’s playlist