Dave and Pat Densmore
The Working Waterfront Festival Community Documentation Project
The Working Waterfront Festival Community Documentation Project is an ongoing oral history project documenting the history and culture of the commercial fishing industry and other port trades. The project was begun in 2004 in conjunction with the Working Waterfront Festival, an annual, education celebration of commercial fishing culture which takes place in New Bedford, MA. Interviewees have included a wide range of individuals connected to the commercial fishing industry and/or other aspects of the port through work or familial ties. While the majority of interviewees are from the port of New Bedford, the project has also documented numerous individuals from other ports around the country. Folklorist and Festival Director Laura Orleans and Community Scholar/Associate Director Kirsten Bendiksen are Project Leaders. The original recordings reside at the National Council for the Traditional Arts in Maryland with listening copies housed at the Festival's New Bedford office.
Janice Gadaire Fleurie
Dave Densmore and Pat Densmore are a married couple who have both worked as fishermen. Dave Densmore is a male fisherman who hails from Kodiak, Alaska, and has fished from the same port. Pat Densmore is a female fisherman who has also worked as a farmer. They both have a deep connection to the fishing industry and have firsthand experience in the challenges and rewards of this occupation.
Scope and Content Note :
The oral history interview with Dave and Pat Densmore took place at the Working Waterfront Festival in the Harbormaster House on September 27, 2008. The interview covers various topics related to their experiences as fishermen, including their fishing practices, the challenges they have faced, and their perspectives on the fishing industry. Dave Densmore also discusses his activism and advocacy for fishermen's rights and the need for understanding and support from the public. The interview provides insights into the Densmores' personal experiences as well as their broader perspectives on the fishing industry and its relationship with the public].
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