Lunch and Learn — Building the Archive: Fieldwork with Derek Piotr at Mattatuck Museum

Explore the stories behind traditional music and cultural heritage during Lunch and Learn — Building the Archive: Fieldwork with Derek Piotr on July 8, 2026, from 12 pm to 1 pm at the Mattatuck Museum. This engaging midday program offers an opportunity to learn about folklorist Derek Piotr’s work documenting songs and personal histories from communities around the world and here in Connecticut.

Piotr has traveled extensively, conducting interviews and collecting recordings in countries such as Brazil and Belarus. His work centers on asking individuals to share a meaningful song from their lives and the stories connected to it. In 2025, he brought this project to Waterbury, recording music and oral histories from Cape Verdean, Haitian, Irish, and Ecuadorian traditions. During this presentation, attendees will gain insight into these recordings and the importance of preserving cultural traditions through fieldwork and archival research.

Guests are welcome to order lunch in advance from Sweet Bella @ The MATT or bring their own meal to enjoy during the program. Pre-registration is recommended, as seating is limited.

Admission is $10 for non-members and $5 for Mattatuck Museum members. This event is sponsored by Christine and Eugene Shugrue.

The Mattatuck Museum is located at 144 West Main Street, Waterbury, CT 06702. For more information and registration, visit https://www.mattmuseum.org/calendar/lunch-and-learn-july/.