Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales 277-5920

January 2, 2003 ROUTE 66 ORAL HISTORY WORKSHOPS Collecting oral history on Route 66 is the focus of free training offered by the National Park Service through the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. Starting this month, English Professor and oral historian David Dunaway, University of New Mexico, will visit seven sites along America's Mother Road to lead weekend workshops. Dunaway, co-editor of the classic "Oral History: An Interdisciplinary Anthology," spent three years documenting Route 66's overlooked stories and forgotten places for the 75th anniversary of Route 66, for National Public Radio's "Morning Edition" and Public Radio International. "For me, Route 66 is a corridor in time as well as place-a grand avenue into exploring American history," said Dunaway. "Route 66's image as a place for cruising and nostalgia is giving way to a broader understanding of communities and peoples left standing in the dust as the travelers passed. The old road lives on. For the most part, where the pavement remains, the people remained. Though there are places without historic markers, there's always someone who remembers." The workshops offer tips on recording; how to prioritize and organize interviews; and sources for basic research. Each participant will receive a free oral history handbook. The locations and dates for the workshops are tentatively scheduled as follows: Amarillo, Tex., (January 25,26); Chandler, Okla., (February 22,23); Kingman, Ariz., (March 1,2); Ontario, Calif., (March 8,9); Springfield, Ill., (April 26,27); Springfield, Mo., (May 31, June 1); Albuquerque, NM (August 23,24). Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis with participation limited to 20. For more information, contact Charlotte Little at (505) 345-0185 or by e-mail at wrtgsw@unm.edu # # #

The University of New Mexico
Public Affairs Department
Hodgin Hall, 2nd floor
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0011
Telephone: (505) 277-5813
Fax: (505) 277-1981