Secondhand Stories

Secondhand Stories documents community heritage through recorded interviews about personal artifacts and memorabilia across the Pacific Northwest. The organization maintains a searchable digital archive of audio recordings, transcripts, and object photographs collected by trained volunteer Story Gatherers. Story Organizers process submissions through established preservation protocols developed in partnership with regional historical societies. The project hosts monthly storytelling workshops at local libraries and cultural centers where community members learn oral history techniques. Public exhibitions showcase selected objects and recordings three times annually at partner venues including the State History Museum. Weekly drop-in sessions allow residents to record their stories and digitize family heirlooms. A core team of coordinators manages the volunteer program, community outreach, and technical systems for the growing collection. The organization provides specialized training for Story Gatherers in interviewing methods and audio recording, while Story Organizers receive instruction in archival standards and metadata documentation. Community members can access the full digital archive through the project's online portal and mobile app.