UNIVERSITY PARK – Memories of farming from days gone by will be captured by WPSU-FM during Ag Progress Days, Aug. 13-15.
Producers of WPSU’s Story Corps will work with the Pasto Agricultural Museum to interview visitors about their experiences on the farm, according to curator Rita Graef.
“During the three days of the event, producers can capture as many as 21 interviews,” said Graef. “We will dedicate our museum classroom space to this effort, while WPSU will bring the technology to make it happen.”
Participants should come in pairs and bring questions, but a WPSU Story Corps facilitator will be there to guide them through the interview process. At the end of each 40-minute recording session, participants will receive a complimentary CD copy of their interview.
“The stories visitors tell bring the objects in our collection to life,” Graef added. “We hope to share a glimpse of life long ago as we incorporate stories and memories into our exhibits.”
Participant interviews will air on WPSU-FM and will be posted on the WPSU Story Corps Web page. Taking part is free, but participants must schedule an appointment in advance. Appointments can be scheduled online or by calling Emily Reddy at 814-863-4233.
Modeled after National Public Radio’s Story Corps that airs every Friday during “Morning Edition,” WPSU’s version is locally produced. More information about the program and samples of local stories can be found on the program Web page.
Located on East 10th Street near the top of Main Street on the Ag Progress Days site, the Pasto Museum provides a comprehensive view of the era when energy for work was supplied by the power of humans and domesticated animals. The approximately 1,300 items in the collection are concentrated in the time period between 1775 and 1940, although the assemblage of objects spans 6,000 years, from 4,000 B.C. to the 1940s.
Sponsored by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, Ag Progress Days is held at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, nine miles southwest of State College on Route 45. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 13; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 14; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 15. Admission and parking are free.
For more information, visit the Ag Progress Days website. Twitter users can find and share information about the event by using hashtag #agprogress, and Facebook users can find the event here.