West End Seniors Invited To Share Life Stories for 'Memoir Project'

Senior residents in Boston’s West End and Beacon Hill neighborhoods are being encouraged to share their life stories through the city’s new “Memoir Project.”

Sponsored by Grub Street Inc. and Mayor Thomas Menino, the project seeks to capture the stories of Boston’s over-60 residents by teaching them the basics of memoir writing, according to Gregory Josselyn of the Boston Commission on Affairs of the Elderly.

“Learning these skills will give participants a practical and meaningful way to turn memories into coherent narratives with lasting value,” Josselyn said in a press release.

Each participant will have the opportunity to submit an essay to be published in a collected volume.

“Since 2005, we’ve published three books that have captured the stories of Boston’s older adults—providing a rich living history of the city,” Josselyn said.

This year, the free class is geared toward West End and Beacon Hill residents and is being offered on Thursdays, Sept. 12 through Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with lunch provided, at the Boston Athenæum Library, 10 1/2 Beacon St. No writing experience is necessary.

Reserve a seat by calling Greg Josselyn at 617-635-4520 or email gregory.josselyn@cityofboston.gov.