The California Story Fund Grant from the California Council for the Humanities has been awarded to Lassen College for the project, “Preserving the History of the Land through Its Stories,” designed to collect written and oral narratives from the historically rich, culturally diverse community of Lassen County. The program is also intended to promote unity among all segments of the community who are or have been significantly impacted by the history of the land.
Project director Candace Toft hopes to find all residents who have a story to tell, from those whose families have been here for generations to those who have recently arrived, whether they want guidance in writing or audio-recording their stories.
Writing classes in fiction, nonfiction and poetry as well as opportunities to record stories will be made available in a variety of venues and schedules, depending on the needs of participants; for example, groups may meet at the Arts Council, Lassen College, the Rancheria or other facilities where residents may gather. Storytellers may be interested in meeting weekly, monthly or online, in the evening or on Saturdays; schedules and locations will be developed based on what works best for most participants.
Written stories will be collected in an anthology, and after that book is printed, the culminating event will be an opportunity for many of the participants to read their stories or to play recordings to an audience of Lassen County Citizens. The recent event at Lassen College, “Do You Have a Story to Tell?” sponsored by Poets and Writers, Ink and the James Irvine Foundation, identified some excellent storytellers whose work will be included, along with new stories that are developed during the project.
While newcomers and all stories are welcome, the Story Fund is particularly interested in tales of the tribes, settlers, mill workers, miners, railroad workers and those who worked on farms and ranches. A few additional examples of community groups who might have stories to tell are veterans, firefighters, teachers, students, musicians, and those who grew up in Lassen County.
Anyone who is interested in participating in this program or knows of a venue where classes may be held or recordings made, please contact Candace Toft by email (candacetoft@yahoo.com) or phone at 257-2352, or Dianna Henning 253-3303.
This project is made possible, in part, by a grant from the California Council for the Humanities as part of the Council’s statewide California Stories Initiative.
