Kids & Family

Storytelling Cube Comes to New Rochelle Library

William F. Moye walked into the Cube in the lobby of New Rochelle Public Library and started talking about living his entire 98 years in New Rochelle.

"Except for when I was in the service," he said.

The Cube is part of the Sound & Story Project of the Hudson Valley, which is collecting stories of everyday people through the Hudson Valley.

Find out what's happening in New Rochellewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The stop in New Rochelle is one of five the project is making. The others are the Nyack Public Library, Somers Historical Society, the Maritime Center in Kingston and the FDR home in Hyde Park.

Barbara Davis, community relations coordinator for the New Rochelle Public Library, said the project is being funded through a three-year grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Find out what's happening in New Rochellewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Community members can make a appoint to record their New Rochelle story in 30- to 40-minute sessions with a professional interviewer.

They will receive a copy of their recording, segments of which may become a part of A Year of Sounds and Stories: 365 Tales from Unexpected Places.

Davis said it was the perfect time to bring the Cube in during the Timeline Exhibit at the library for the 325th Anniversary of New Rochelle.

Eileen McAdam of Stone Ridge, the director/producer of the Sound & Story Project, interviewed the people inside the angular Cube, planted directly across from the library's checkout desk.

She said the design of the Cube—bright and shiny aluminum on the exterior—is meant to blend in with its surroundings by mirroring them.

"It reflects to show back where we are," McAdam said.

Inside the Cube, McAdam guides interviewees through the process, starting slowly by asking their names and where they are from.

"Sometimes the organization will give me information about the person," she said, so she can ask specific questions about something of interest.

But a lot of what she does during the interview is based on curiosity.

"It's a real desire to hear their stories," McAdam said.

She said there is something about the intimacy that being in the Cube generates.

"I've had people open up and start crying about things," McAdam said. "They remember things they didn't think they would."

For Moye, a diminutive man who is relishes living in New Rochelle, the process of telling stories seems to come naturally.

"I like reminiscing on good things," he said. "A lot of times, when I sit down by myself, I can go back a couple of years and think of some special things."

In his interview, Moye talked about his early years in the city, taking the trolley, even if he and his friends didn't have the money to pay for it.

He said he thought it was important for people to tell others about their history so maybe they could learn from their mistakes or successes.

"I have a lot of beautiful memories," Moye said. "I don't deal in negativity; I'm a positive person."

Appointments to record your New Rochelle story are still available. To schedule one, stop by the library's Community Relations Office, 1 Library Plz. in New Rochelle, on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., email communityrelations@nrpl.org or call 914-813-3706.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here