Oral History Workshop

Los Altos History Museum will host an Oral History Workshop led by Guneeta Singh Bhalla, Executive Director of The 1947 Partition Archive. Held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 5:30 – 7:00 pm, the workshop will guide participants through the process of recording oral history interviews within families and communities to preserve personal memories for future generations. Drawing on The 1947 Partition Archive’s work preserving eyewitness accounts of the Partition of British India, the workshop will highlight best practices for ethical storytelling and interview etiquette; audio-visual recording techniques; building a compelling story; developing an effective questionnaire; and the overall philosophy of oral history interviewing. Attendees will receive a training packet and the opportunity to practice documentation techniques using available recording equipment. Time permitting, mock interviews will be conducted. Following the workshop, participants who are interested may be matched with local Partition-era (1940s) witnesses who are waiting to have their stories recorded. Cost of attending the workshop is $15 per person and free for Museum members. Reservations are required and may be made at losaltoshistory.org/OHworkshop .