Do you have a “coming to Windsor” story?

Windsor Historical Society’s newest oral history project invites you to share yours!

Have you moved to Windsor from another place? If so, the Historical Society’s Community History Specialist Sulema DePeyster would love to talk with you and preserve your story as a part of our town’s rich narrative! “This project is so important and timely,” notes Sulema. “With each passing year, Windsor becomes more and more diverse. People from other parts of the United States and the world now call Windsor home, and the town’s foreign-born population currently stands above 14%. This new oral history initiative highlights the stories that help shape Windsor’s culture and history.”

Who can participate? Windsor Historical Society welcomes anyone who has either moved from another state or immigrated to the United States and settled in Windsor. This includes individuals, families, and second-generation children. “We would love to interview several people in the same family,” says Sulema, “to showcase the perspectives of different generations and to create a full picture of the family’s coming to Windsor experience.”

What will the oral history interviews be like? Sulema explains that participants can choose between a
video or audio-only format, and can expect to be asked questions like: Where did you move from?  Why did you choose Windsor? What have you enjoyed about living in Windsor? And, what has your
experience been like? She notes that “we hope people will feel comfortable sharing any stories or anecdotes about their personal experiences that will help people understand what it was like to come to Windsor.”  

“Ultimately,” says Sulema, “the goal of the project is to help create a more complete and inclusive story of our town, and to fill in important parts of Windsor’s historical record. We also plan to create a short film that includes parts of each oral history interview. The film will be publicly screened and available on our website. Each interview will also be preserved in our archives.”
                                                                                 
Do you have a “coming to Windsor” story or know someone who does? Contact Sulema DePeyster at Windsor Historical Society at [email protected]  or 860-688-3813, ext. 107.  
    
The Windsor Historical Society, founded in 1921, invites visitors to explore the people, places, and events that have shaped Windsor for over four centuries. The Society’s museum and research library is located at 96 Palisado Avenue (Route 159) and is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 4 PM, with house tours at 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM. General admission to the library and historic houses is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6 for students, and free to children under 12 and WHS members. Visitors are free to browse the museum store and exhibit galleries at no charge, thanks to generous support of the Town of Windsor.

Visit us on the web at windsorhistoricalsociety.org for directions and more information about programs or volunteer opportunities. Want to know more about Windsor history? Just enter your email in the box at the bottom of our home page, and make sure to “like” the Society’s Facebook page and follow us on Twitter (@windsorct1633) for regular updates and insights.