Purpose:
2025 will mark the 250th year anniversary of the American Revolutionary War. Among many other Massachusett towns, Arlington was one of many, where history was made. Have you grown up in Arlington? Do you have an untold story to share? Tell us about it! Sign up for one of our 30 minute slots at the Community Center, Library, or ACMi studio. These audio recordings will posted wherever you get your podcasts on aired on our TV channels and YouTube.
Not sure if you have a story to share? Get your memories flowing with this list of questions. Come with a story and we’ll interview you about it. Or come and just chat, maybe we’ll help you find your untold story.
Wednesday, March 5, 4-8PM
Robbins Library Conference Room
Signup here
Wednesday, March 12, 3:30-6PM
ACMi Studio
3:30-6PM
Signup here
Thursday, March 20, 3:30-7PM
Community Center – Yoga Room
Signup here
Prompts:
Family
- How long have you been in Arlington? Where in Arlington did you live?
- Tell me about your parents or your family background.
- Where was your family originally from?
- What did your parents do for a living?
- What was your parents’ religious background? How was religion observed in your home?
- What were your parents’ political beliefs? What political organizations were they involved in?
- What other relatives did you have contact with growing up? What do you remember about your grandparents?
- What were your duties around the house as a child? What were the other children’s duties?
- What activities did the family do together?
Community You Grew Up In
- Describe the Arlington when you were growing up.
- Describe your neighborhood.
- Where did you shop? How far away were these shops and how did you get there?
Friends and Interests
- What did you do in your spare time?
- Who were your friends and what did you do when you got together?
- Did you have any hobbies?
- Any favorite stories? Favorite games or make-believe? Favorite toys?
School
- What was school like for you? What did you like about it? What was hard about it for you?
- What were your favorite subjects? Particular interests?
- What were your least favorite subjects?
- Did you have any memorable teachers? Describe their teaching style. How did they influence you?
Work
- Any Arlington businesses or industries come to mind?
- Did you have jobs and if so what sort of jobs did you have?
- What was transportation like? How’d you get around? (Street cars, train / bike path)
- How would you have compared to other towns?
Social Life and Outside Interests
- What did you do for leisure or recreation? Any favorite restaurants?
- For example, currently we have the Beer Garden at the Dallin Museum… where people gather or events?
- Did you attend the Capital or the Regent theaters? Any other organizations in town that maybe aren’t around anymore?
- Did you go out on Spy Pond?
- What were your hobbies/interests? What books did you read? What music did you listen to? What sports did you play? What crafts did you participate in?
- Any comments on the change of Arlington to / from a dry town? What about marijuana?
General
- What has provided you with the greatest satisfaction in life?
- How would you say the world has changed since you were young?
- Any significant historical events? Such as was your family affected by the Depression?
- Did you or anyone close to you serve in a war? What do you remember of that experience?
- Did you support or oppose the war in Vietnam? How did you express your political opinions?
- Did you participate in, or do you have any memories of any of the movements that came out of the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s, such as the civil rights movement, the women’s liberation movement, or the gay liberation movement?
- If the family member belongs to a group that has traditionally been discriminated against: what were you told, both positive and negative, about your group inside your family? Outside? Did you experience discrimination? Who were your role models?
- If the family member is an immigrant or the child/grandchild of immigrants: what do you know of the country you or they came from? Why did you or they immigrate? How did you or they immigrate? What were some of your or their experiences and difficulties of beginning a life in a new country?
- Do you remember your first contact with such significant inventions as radio, television, or a computer? When did your family first buy these items?
- Any memories around major weather events such as snow storms?
- Where have you seen the biggest change? (When you look around, what makes you say wow?)
