By Elise Dunand, June 2026 / FOCAS Intern 15-26 / University of Arizona
During this spring semester, I assisted in the processing of oral histories and the reopening of the Sosa-Carrillo House. Most of the work I did was remote, the museum being in the process of moving back into the House, but it only made me appreciate meeting community members all the more during the Grand Reopening and the preparation phase.
Most of my time was spent working on the oral histories of people living in South Tucson. Transcribing recordings is much more complex than I initially thought. Every second requires my whole attention, even for high quality recordings. Another unexpected element of the work was that I needed to do research as I went along. I am not from Tucson, and so many of the places and businesses mentioned, present and past, were unfamiliar to me. I couldn’t assume the spelling of a name or word. Sometimes, two very different words can sound remarkably similar in a recording. Once I was finished with a transcription, I felt a sort of connection with the speaker. After listening to their voice for hours, going back to listen to parts of their story to make sure I had recorded it properly, I feel like I know them. I have not met any of them personally; I am a complete stranger to them, and yet they somehow feel like acquaintances. Someone mentions their name, and my reflex is to say “I know them!”. It is strange how personal stories create that sense of closeness with someone we have never met. Oral histories are powerful because they create this sense of intimacy.
These past few months have felt like I was slowly getting reacquainted with Tucson. Having left my home close to eight years ago and moved many times during those years, I have missed that sense of close-knit, familial community, and I felt so lucky that the museum contributors, Rikki and Alisha, and the Los Descendientes welcomed me in. As we both gazed up at the paper flowers hanging in the Sosa-Carrillo House, Josefina Lizarraga told me her life story, explained the intricacies of her craft, and gave me gardening advice for companion planting. For me, this one interaction alone exemplifies the importance of community cultural and memory work: it provides a space where we can share knowledge, stories, and laughter.