History of the National Story League

In 1903 at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Dr. Richard Wyche,
a professor of literature, organized the National Story League. For 16 years,
Dr. Wyche served as president. Interest in storytelling grew and classes were
taught in colleges. Leagues were organized locally and affiliated with the
National Story League.

National Story League was organized to revive the art of storytelling, and is the
oldest organization of its kind in the United States. Leagues are in operation now
throughout the United States. The National StoryLeague was conceived in the spirit
of service. Hence the motto of the Detroit Story League: Service Through Storytelling.
Our objective is to encourage the good and beautiful in life and in literature through
the art of storytelling. We try to maintain that standard today.

History of the Detroit Story League

In 1912, nine years after the founding of the National Story League, Mary Conover organized
the Detroit Story League. The high ideals and the dedication of the people in the
National Story League attracted Mary Conover who had became Detroit's first children's
librarian in 1881. Soon after a children's room was added to the Detroit Public Library,
Mary Conover began the first story hour in the country in that room. As new libraries
were opened in Detroit, Mary Conover personally trained children's librarians to become
good storytellers. In addition, Mary Conover was instrumental in forming a kindergarten,
when it was virtually an unknown concept.

Mission of the Detroit Story League

• To keep alive the ancient art of storytelling

• To provide an opportunity for the study of storytelling

• To furnish storytellers to requesting groups

Some additional information:

The Detroit Story League has diverse membership heritages, both culturally and ethnically.
(African American, Jewish, Caucasian, Irish, Catholic, Protestant, Italian, and the list goes on.)

League membership ranges from professional to novice storytellers with expertise in all kinds of
telling: traditional, tandem, ballads, string, participation, and more. In addition, our members are
valued community members who serve on various boards, do volunteer work, and are both
retirees and practicing professionals in a variety fields (i.e. K-12 and higher Education, law,
business, etc.)

The League meets monthly throughout metro Detroit and shares stories around a pre-selected
theme along with a monthly workshop relating to storytelling. The public is invited to enjoy the
story telling portion of our meetings each month.

Our initiatives for the 2005-2007year include the adoption of a new logo, exploration of ways to
better utilize 21st century technology and our website to enhance the presence of the DSL in
Detroit and the metro areas, via digital pictures, podcasts, member highlights etc.. We partner
with the Detroit Public Library, Redford Branch, to provide storytelling programs. In addition we
host an Annual Storytelling Festival for adults and children and the Annual DSL “Tellebration”
(participation in nation-wide storytelling night for adults).

After attending three meetings, interested parties may join the League, if they are willing to
accept membership responsibilities and “go forth and tell stories.”

We are primarily a volunteer storytelling/service organization.

We maintain an extensive collection of storytelling resources inclusive of books, audio taped,
CDs and video that is available to our membership.

The Story Bureau of the Detroit Story League accepts requests from the general public for
storytellers to perform at schools and organizational functions.

2007 will mark our 94th year. You might truthfully say--we have stood the test of time.