Events › Our Westside Story: Preserving Our History

The Westside of Chicago is rich with history, resilience, and cultural contributions, yet much of its story remains undocumented or at risk of being lost due to rapid change. "Our Westside Story: Preserving Our History" is dedicated to bridging that gap—providing a platform for community members, archivists, and storytellers to discuss the importance of preserving our past and our right now.

Through monthly listening sessions, this initiative will educate, inspire, and empower Westside residents to document their own histories. Featuring conversations with local archivists, artists, and everyday people, each session will highlight best practices for preservation and share untold stories that deserve to be heard.

This effort isn’t just about reflection, it’s about action. Listeners will walk away with tangible ways to record, safeguard, and share their histories for future generations. By amplifying voices from the Westside, we ensure our community’s legacy lives on.

For our first listening session, please join Legler's Artist-in-Residence, Kenn Cook, and his guest, Westside native Drea Slaughter, to discuss the collecting of oral histories. 

Accessibility
Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipublib.org to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.