The purpose of this project is to introduce you to the work that we do as archivists. Every person, family, or organization, has a history -- taking care of that history so that it is saved and can be studied by anyone who is interested is what we do. We want you to become archivists for eight weeks -- to learn about the history of their family or community organization, to find materials that tell stories about that history, and to understand how to save that history. After we have worked with you for a few weeks, you will tour an archives and see where we work. You will hear a historian talk about how he has used the same kinds of materials that you will uncover to write books about American history. When the project is completed, we will display some of the items you find during your work as archivists in an exhibit in the Yale Library and will invite you and your families to a reception to open the exhibit.
Above all, we want this to be a fun, learning experience for you. We will teach you new skills during this project and you will learn about things that have happened in the past that affect who you are. When it is over you will have had first-hand experience being an archivist and finding and preserving family or community history that might otherwise have been lost. And, you will have the chance to use all of your talents, interests, and expertise to create something that tells us what you have learned from this experience. Whether it is a paper, play, piece of choreography, drawing or painting, we will learn from what you have learned and be better archivists.
Christine Weideman
Carrie S. Beinecke Director of Manuscripts and Archives
About this Blog
This blog documents a collaborative project undertaken by archivists at Yale University with teachers and students at the New Haven Cooperative High School for the Arts and Humanities.
1 comment:
Welcome to my first blog ever. I am so relieved that this blog has spellcheck. (Those who know me, know why!) I wanted to be the first entry in the Family & Community Archive Project because:
1. I'm excited about the collaboration between COOP High School and Yale University.
2. I REALLY love history & genealogy ( the study of family history).
3. I REALLY love archives & research. In fact, I'm happiest when I'm in a library or doing research. The time just flies by! (I know -- NO LIFE!)
4. I want my students to learn that their own personal history is important.
My only real regret in life, is that so many of the people I loved in this world have passed away without leaving much of a written record behind. These were some of the most influential people in my life, and I want other people to know of them. They were magnificent and they were important! I want to write down as much of their history as possible, because although they may not have been famous, they were important -- at least to me. I feel that one of my missions in life, is to record their stories so that future generations will know them. Why do you think I take all of those pictures? You students (and I'm assuming it's mostly my student who are reading this) are part of my history and I want to record your images and your stories, because you all are important to me. You are part of my history!
Good luck on discovering your past -- let me know how I can help.
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