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TheSteppingStones NewsStepping Stones - Historic Home of Bill & Lois WilsonSummer 2020“Archives Anywhere” Matching Challenge LaunchedPlease Help Us Reach the 25,000 Goalfor Bill & Lois Wilsons’ Archives to “Go Global”Over a decade ago when Stepping Stones createdthe multiphase Archives Preservation Project to preservethe archives and create an online archive, we could nothave anticipated today’s demand for online access to Billand Lois’ manuscripts and photographs. Today, we seekthe help of all who are in a position to give to make theonline archive a reality through the “Archives Anywhere”Matching Challenge. Each dollar raised up to 25,000 willbe matched by a 25,000 fund from a pool of donors andTrustees. These funds will make possible free access toexplore 10,000 manuscripts and photographs. Gifts can bemade using the enclosed envelope, by phone, or onlineat the “Donate” page of www.steppingstones.orgBill & Lois Wilson, 1916, at 182 Clinton St., Brooklyn, NY, roof.From Stepping Stones Foundation Archives.“Stepping Stones is grateful to the loyal and generousdonors who pledged a matching fund of 25,000 ifStepping Stones raises the additional 25,000 neededfor the state-of-the-art, searchable online archive,” saysSally Corbett-Turco, Executive Director. “Our goal is tocomplete the matching challenge by September andbegin creating an archive that is accessible anytimeanywhere.”“We hope that the promise of free, online access to 10,000 featured archival items will generate a groundswell ofenthusiasm and support,” says John J. Quinn, President, Board of Trustees. “The Stepping Stones Online Archive willenable anyone to research and learn about the history of the Wilsons, A.A., and Al-Anon.”Author William Schaberg says his book, Writing the Big Book: The Creation of A.A., wouldn’t have been accurate withoutaccess to the Stepping Stones Archives. He believes that the online archive will illuminate much about the oral history ofA.A. “Having these resources available online will inject a whole new world of reliable, verifiable information into theA.A. community,” says Schaberg.“The online archive will allow for images of photographs, correspondence, and ephemera, along with audio and video,”explains Toya Dubin, President, Hudson Archival. “Once registered, general users can explore at their leisure and createsaved, private lists of items of interest.” The web platform will be accessible for the vision and hearing impaired.Continued on page 362 Oak Road, Katonah, NY 10536 914.232.4822 info@steppingstones.org www.steppingstones.org

Greetings from the Board & StaffDear Friends,On behalf of the Board, staff, and volunteers of SteppingStones we share our sincerest hope that you, your loved ones,and friends are faring well.As the 12-Step fellowships undergo a new sort of flying blindperiod—carrying the message using modern technologies—wesuspect that Lois and Bill might be awed by the efforts in the sameway they were by those in their lifetime. In a 1963 letter fromStepping Stones Archives, Bill wrote this to Inez B. of Akron:“Standing as we do near the center of A.A., it is still impossibleto comprehend even a small fraction of the miracles that havecome to pass. So when we receive a message like yours, the visionis broadened and deepened, and we are made still more joyful.”News In 2018 and 2019, we welcomed 2,750 visitors—themaximum permitted by the Town of Bedford. In March,we were granted a trial period of 3,000 visitors per yearfor 2020 and 2021.In March, we paused on-site tours, but we embraced the opportunity to share with you online through the Annual Picnic inJune and dozens of “Home with History” virtual explorations forgroups. (See pp. 6-7.) At the urging of friends, a Reshowing of the69th Annual Picnic will be online in September. (See back cover.) In 2019 and 2020, preservation of the exteriors of thethree largest buildings was done with great care byPeter Gisondi & Co., which generously donateda portion of their work. The project addresseddeterioration, and it included major work on the frontporch that maintained the historic tongue-and-grooveA limited reopening of our site to tours will start with an initialstyle. A paint analysis dictated all color choices to matchphase during which priority will be given to those who might notthe historic colors.have a future chance to visit due to distance, etc. (See our website or A circle / triangle symbol was returned to prominencecontact us for updates or availability.)on the chimney—just as the Wilsons had had it. (below.)The generous support of friends toward the 2019 appeal for In fall 2020, we will celebrate the 100th anniversary ofobject conservation has enabled the conservation treatment ofthe construction of the Dutch Colonial Revival home thatpriority materials, including the original Man on the Bed / Camebecame the Wilsons’ final residence here in 1941.to Believe painting (above right) and others. (See p. 7.) Otherrecent preservation highlights include extensive work on building Picnic 2020 audio recordings are available for purchase byemailing our shop at visit@steppingstones.orgexteriors, porches, chimneys, and fireplaces. Thanks to all whocontributed to special projects and general support. See the May 2020 A.A. Grapevine for “Walking with BillWe recognize volunteers who serve as docents, committeemembers, advisors, and event helpers. In typical years, thededicated docents deliver exceptional tours up to six days a week.We thank them all for their service.& Lois,”—the story of a Stepping Stones’ tour guide ll-loisThank you for your continued support and enthusiasm forStepping Stones.With gratitude,John J. Quinn,President, Board of TrusteesSally A. Corbett-TurcoExecutive DirectorIn Memoriam:We offer condolences to all who knew Rev. Dr. GlennForrest Chesnut (6/28/39–7/27/20). We recognize hiscontributions as a scholar, online history forumsmoderator, and author of books on spirituality andA.A., including Father Ed Dowling: Bill Wilson’s Sponsor.In 2016, he visited and generously presented to ourdocents. We are thankful for Glenn and his many gifts.MISSION: The Stepping Stones Foundation fosterspublic understanding of alcoholism and inspiresrecovery by preserving and sharing the historichome, archives, and legacy of Bill and Lois Wilson,co-founders, respectively, of Alcoholics Anonymousand Al-Anon Family Groups. Adopted July 2020Page 2Volunteer Here or at HomeEmail office@steppingstones.org to apply.RemoteOn Site Online events Greeting / Hosting Outreach Gardening Archive indexing Language interpreting Audio / video editing Leading tours Graphic / web design Photo / Video Social media Trail maintenance Language translating Light maintenance Editing / WritingThe Stepping Stones News

Archives AnywhereMatching ChallengeContinued from page 1The online archive is the long-anticipated goal ofPhase III of the Stepping Stones Archives PreservationProject. Owing to the support of thousands of friendswho contributed to the first two phases, 227,000documents and 7,800 photographs were safeguardedfor future generations by creating multiple microfilmand digital copies. In Phase III, the massive set ofdigital files will be imported and organized. On a fileby-file basis, a determination will be made regardingthe need for watermarking, anonymizing, transcribing,and redacting of information. Once all items are in thesystem, indexing by staff and volunteers will captureeach item’s date, origin / creator, and topics / themes.For the first time this will enable searches by commonterms and parameters. Staff will have complete access,and researchers can apply to review more materialbeyond the 10,000 featured public selections.Jennifer Lois Hahn, a Ph.D. candidate in religiousstudies at University of California, Santa Barbara,needed to research the Stepping Stones Archives forOne of thousands of responses by Bill Wilson toher dissertation on the meaning of spirituality for past andA.A. members’ found in Stepping Stones Archives.present A.A. members. Unfortunately, grant monies could only cover a portion of her essential trip, but she personally founda way to make it happen. With your support of the new “Archives Anywhere” Matching Gift Challenge, barriers to using thearchives like distance and travel cost, can be eliminated for the public, history enthusiasts, and researchers!Gifts of any amount help meet the challenge! To unite in this effort to reach the goal, please give online on the “Donate” pageat www.steppingstones.org, call (914) 232-4822, or use the enclosed envelope.Bring the Wilsons’ Story to Your Eventwith “Play-in-a-Box” Short Play ReadingsA love story of more than 60 years. A life story including the creationof 12-Step recovery that changed the world. A story of redemption. Allare part of the lives of Bill and Lois Wilson and a story you can bringto your event.First created as a two-hour stage presentation a decade ago, Bill& Lois Wilson: In Their Own Words will be available in easier-topresent short forms. The story comes to life using the correspondencebetween Bill and Lois—letters from 1914 to 1968 from the SteppingStones Archives. Characters reveal Bill and Lois’ young love, hopefulearly life together, Bill’s descent into alcoholism and, ultimately,triumph as Bill connected with his Higher Power, helped others, andcreated the 12 Steps that have shaped addiction recovery for 85 years.To bring this touching story to a wider audience, Stepping Stones ismaking available 50- and 30-minute versions that can be presentedin a simplified manner as script readings with or without staging,lighting, or audio/visual effects. The four characters (Young Bill andLois, Older Bill and Lois) can read their parts without the need forextensive stage directions, movement, set pieces, or props.Anyone planning events, anniversaries, retreats, and conventionscan include the easy-to-organize readings.www.steppingstones.orgScene from Bill & Lois Wilson: InTheir Own Words with excerpt ofpledges by Bill in the Wilsons’ Biblefrom the Stepping Stones Archives.The play kit includes scripts, suggestions for presentation, templates for flyers, printed programs, andcommunications. A nominal licensing fee enablesa one-time performance. Audio/visual elements,display, and production assistance are available atadditional cost. Proceeds support Stepping Stones.For “Play-in-a-Box Kit” information, email PlayProject Consultant Laurie Lewis atsteppingstonesplay@gmail.com, or see the“Events” page at www.steppingstones.orgPage 3