Join the Chestnut Hill Conservancy for a unique and inspiring exploration of oral history and audio storytelling with award-winning producer Molly Murphy. In this free virtual session, Murphy will introduce participants to the power of capturing family and community stories through sound—sharing how anyone can begin preserving voices using simple tools like a smartphone, a few thoughtful questions, and a quiet space.

Wednesday, October 22, 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Chestnut Hill Conservancy
8708 Germantown Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19118
Free
Virtual
RSVP info: https://chconservancy.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/chconservancy/event.jsp?event=1358&amp

Join the Chestnut Hill Conservancy for a unique and inspiring exploration of oral history and audio storytelling with award-winning producer Molly Murphy. In this free virtual session, Murphy will introduce participants to the power of capturing family and community stories through sound—sharing how anyone can begin preserving voices using simple tools like a smartphone, a few thoughtful questions, and a quiet space.

Ask the Experts is organized by the Conservancy and offered in collaboration with the Chestnut Hill Community Association.

About Molly Murphy:

Murphy worked in broadcast media for over 25 years, earning two Peabody Awards for her work with NPR’s Cultural Programming division. She has produced, written, and edited for acclaimed music series including Jazz Profiles with Nancy Wilson, Wynton Marsalis’ Making the Music, and Billy Taylor’s Jazz at the Kennedy Center. She has conducted interviews for the Smithsonian Institution’s Jazz Oral History Program and produced programming for the NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship Awards, the nation’s highest honor in jazz.

With over two decades of experience producing for NPR, the Smithsonian Institution, and the NEA Jazz Masters, Murphy will guide attendees through the process of preparing for, conducting, and preserving meaningful conversations. The program will also feature a moderated Q&A with Alex Bartlett, the Conservancy’s Curator and Archivist, who will highlight the organization’s own oral history efforts and archival resources.

Whether you’re sorting through family photos, caring for a loved one’s legacy, or simply curious about recording a piece of personal history, this session will offer a thoughtful and accessible entry point into the world of storytelling.

Learning Objectives:

How to conduct meaningful oral history interviews
Recording tips and tools using a phone or simple equipment
Overcoming common challenges (awkwardness, background noise, tech intimidation)
Framing these conversations as approachable, ongoing projects
What to do next: transcription, long-term storage, and accessibility
“It’s intimate—a snapshot of a person’s essence,” Murphy says. “Collecting oral histories in a careful and deliberate way fosters deeper understanding and connection between generations.”

The Conservancy’s Lead Sponsor, Chubb, along with its General Sponsors and members, makes this free program possible. The 2025 Ask the Experts Event Sponsor is Ace Hardware Home Services, and the Supporting Sponsor is E. G. Rall Jr. Landscape Design. Ask the Experts is organized by the Conservancy and offered in collaboration with the Chestnut Hill Community Association.

For advanced questions or registration inquiries, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Conservancy Programs and Communications Manager Chrissy Clawson at Chrissy@CHConservancy.Org.