The Central Archives forms the critical core of the Museum Archives with over 800 boxes that document the institution’s history spanning from 1880 to 1974. After analyzing the historical collection notes and index summaries referenced in the previous update, it became clear that the Central Archives is also arranged in two parts, split in 1925, when a revamped system of organization was introduced. Now, having completed the pre-1925 section, a quick look at the progress thus far:
During the initial lockdown period, I used the inventory spreadsheet of the collection as my template and incorporated additional data that I harvested from the original Index Guides and the 100,000+ cards from the card catalog. Thankfully, staff had digitized these cards prior to the start of the project, and I was able to work with them remotely. Here I began expanding our descriptions of the collection. Step one was to fill in that far right column on the image you see above with the subject those index numbers correspond to. As you can see, the Index for pre-1925 is both extremely specific (lots of individual names) and very vague.
Once onsite and moving through the individual boxes and files of the Central Archives, I have been enriching data and adding context to these subjects whenever I can. What was their role at the Museum? Did they design an exhibit or take part in an expedition? What was their connection to the Museum? Were they associated with another institution? This context, added in parentheses, is now part of the box list and folder data, as seen above.
Previously, folders in the Central Archives contained the Index Number and date range only, a note of any kind was a rare luxury. Now, all folders have all the updated information that you see listed on the box list. The goal is to make research and citation easier for both staff and researchers by clearly providing the information and expand access while reducing dependence on the old index cards.
Enhancing the Central Archives is also an opportunity to rehouse and conserve materials as I move through the series. We now have a record of where photos, blueprints, posters, and other media are in the collection. Related subjects and connections of note are being added to reference and finding aid materials for greater access.
But enough of spreadsheets and technical data: here is a recent item that has been uncovered by this project. Above you see the Subject card for President William Howard Taft. According to existing documentation, the only time his name appears in the collection is concerning the Museum’s 41st Anniversary Celebration, and yet...
What a surprise to find this letter from President Taft in the files of former Governor of the Alaska Territory John G. Brady! As you can see, the 908 penciled in the top right corner refers to Brady as the subject. Gov. Brady was in contact with Museum officials about shipping his personal collections from Alaska to Massachusetts and potentially donating some materials to the Museum. Brady had asked for a letter supporting the bill that would provide for a Legislative Council for the Territory of Alaska and recommending Brady for the Office of Commissioner of the Interior and Mines.
Realizing that the card index is not as exhaustive as thought, was one of the many revelations about this collection discovered so far. What a difference a year makes!
This is the twenty-fourth post in a series about how the Library's staff is working remotely and enriching its digital collections to enhance access to researchers and the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. This entry was written by Lauren VanDenBerg, Shelby White & Leon Levy Project Archivist.