On Saturday, May 6, the Community Archives Center and Northwest Room hosted Hilltop Story Fest at Tacoma Community House. This event was focused on sharing, uncovering, documenting, and celebrating stories of the Hilltop neighborhood. The event invited community members to share, record, and celebrate stories of the Hilltop neighborhood. Event activities included:
An oral history recording station where local residents could share their Hilltop stories.
A digitization station where TPL staff scanned photographs and documents brought in by Hilltop residents.
A make-your-own comic book station for kids of all ages to create their stories.
Stories were shared with the audience by local residents Jamika Scott, Antonio McLemore, Bonnie Pinckney, and Felix Strozier. Presentations were delivered by Susan Johnson of the City of Tacoma Office of Historic Preservation, Alyssa Torrez of Hilltop Action Coalition, Rebecca Solverson of the City of Tacoma Office of Arts and Cultural Vitality, and Cynthia Tucker, Marshall McClintock, Dr. Jessi Quizar, and Stephanie Hutchinson of the Dr. Nettie J Asberry Home Site. Former Tacoma Poet Laureate Antonio Edwards shared several original spoken word poems with attendees.
The day culminated around the debut of a performance of "Armed: A DanCe Demonstration." This work, inspired by stories of Hilltop, was conceptualized and choreographed by Kenya Adams.
Thank you to the Hilltop community for sharing your stories with us!
You can view all of the content gathered at the event online in Northwest ORCA. , opens a new window
