Scranton's Story
Our Nation's Story

Scranton's Story

Our Nation's Story

Through the course of this project, we have explored the aspirational journey to fulfill our national ideals through the lens of Scranton, Pennsylvania, an iconic American city that has experienced many of the key elements of our nation’s experience: industrial era growth and decline, waves of immigration past and present, and Black and Indigenous experiences.

Programs in a variety of formats have covered eight distinct themes and engage participants in discussions and story-sharing about founding debates, local and national identity, and our role as citizens in a democracy. 

The project culminated in fall 2023 with the release of 25 Scranton Stories oral histories of 33 local residents that can be viewed at www.scranton.edu/stories or via YouTube. The project is ongoing as the stories continue to be shared to generate public conversation and dialogue and the themes explored provide launching points for further programming and initiatives to expand Scranton's Story and fostering greater belonging in our community and strengthen includsive democratic practices in our nation. 


Spring 2024 Events!

"Scranton Stories" Oral History Interviews & Portrait Photographs Exhibition collage-photo.jpeg

Charles Kratz Scranton Heritage Room,  5th floor, Weinberg Memorial Library 
Feb. 5 - April 21 
April 4, 6:30pm "Meet & Greet"  Reception

The exhibition features portraits by photographer Byron Maldonado of each interviewee with personal statements and evocative interviews giving voice to an array of Scranton experiences and connecting them, and our city, to our nation's ongoing story. Visit the Scranton Stories page to view the 25 oral history interviews of 33 local residents. 

For more information on visiting the exhibition, call 570-941-6341 or email Michael.Knies@scranton.edu. Free during library hours. 

To join the April 4th Meet & Greet public reception, where attendees will have the opportunity to meet members of the Scranton Stories team and oral history interviewees and discuss the project, RSVP here or contact community@scranton.edu
Visit event page

CBL Talk: Immigration and Diversity
Featuring Jenny Gonzalez Monge

Wed., March 6, 6:00 p.m., Moskowitz Theater

This event will explore diversity and immigration in the Scranton area, including screening interviews from the “Scranton Stories” oral history project and remarks by Jenny Gonzalez Monge, project committee member, an interviewee, and Director of the S.T.A.R.S. after-school program for Latinx youth. For more information, visit the CBL Talks page

Registration required at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NZSWBMJ


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Black Voices: Screening & Talk Back 

Wed., Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m.
Black Scranton Center for Arts and Culture
1902 N. Main Ave., Scranton 

The event will feature a selection of “Scranton Stories” video interviews that include Black Scrantonians giving voice to a range of stories and experiences across different themes and topics as well as each participant’s hopes for the city and the nation. The evening will involve a screening of 6 video interviews (1-hour total in length) with a panel discussion to follow that includes interviewees.

The Black stories include interviews of Cathy Ann Hardaway; Norma Jeffries; Paula Morgan-Frazier and Sonia Morgan; Ushu and Prisca Mukelo; Steven Raby and James; and Sherman Wooden.

Co-sponsored by The Black Scranton Project & The University of Scranton. Light refreshments will be provided. RSVP Here.

Project Themes

Scranton Stories

These 25 "Scranton Stories" are oral history interviews of 33 local residents. Each gives voice to a broad array of Scranton experiences that connect our city to our nation’s ongoing story, in anticipation of the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Featured Event

Scranton Stories Exhibition

Feb. 5 - April 21

Heritage Room, Weinberg Memorial Library

Oral History Interviews and Photographs

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