On the Road Again

You never know when you might have a conversation on local history, so it is good to be prepared at all times (for instance, I had a very successful surprise interview at a local store simply). There are certain items that you will find useful to carry with you as a matter of habit.

Objective: Carry at least a minimum of tools so that you can always access any particular item.

• a small digital camera
• a dollar bill (it can be used to provide a measurement scale for a picture or get a donut)
• paper and pen/pencil
• some sort of business card with contact information. I use a small pad with information on northerncatskillshistory.com printed on one side, and a structure for notes on the other. The headings of name, date, source, phone/email, location, and action remind me to take complete notes.

Business card with contact information

Gerry Stoner

This article is one of several to help you document local history. Other articles will help you convert your interviews, documents, pictures, and artifacts into documentation of your local history that can be shared with your community.