In 2021, Local Access to Valley Arts (LAVA) initiated a new program entitled:
ECHO GREENFIELD: Exploring and Creating Histories Ourselves
This was introduced as a Greenfield, Massachusetts local history program, whereby local community members were invited to pursue research on questions about local history of interest to themselves. Carol Letson and Edie Heinemann, both Greening Greenfield members -- Carol for over 15 years, Edie for 7 years -- decided to delve into the beginnings of their beloved organization by interviewing current members who were around at the very beginnings of Greening Greenfield.
Carol Letson Edie Heinemann
Carol Letson, a history major and retired librarian is interested in “what makes towns tick” and is a long-time resident of Greenfield. Edie Heinemann, is somewhat new to Greenfield, but has a special interest in oral history and making connections among people. They have joined together to research the origins of Greening Greenfield, an organization of concerned citizens building a more resilient Greenfield by advancing sustainable practices. Letson and Heinemann, both members of Greening Greenfield, wanted to explore the organization more deeply because through its unique collaborative structure, with rotating leadership, and project generation, it has sustained itself so well over the years.
To date, eight stories have been recorded of those involved in Greening Greenfield, from when it was a loose group of folks working together to build what is today known as Energy Park, then as it became an organized group known as the Greenfield Energy committee and, finally, it has continued on in its current identity as Greening Greenfield. You may listen to each of these interviews by clicking on each image below.
Tom Murphy Nancy Hazard Susan Worgaftik Sandra Boston
Becca King Dorothy McIver Peter and Carol Letson Louise Amyot