I am finally working on the last box of the collection! There are still about two boxes of materials
that will need to be inserted into the existing arrangement, but that should
not take long once this last box is processed.
The last box contains black and white photographs ranging from
documentation of the McKissacks’ construction work at Tennessee State
University to personal family photographs that could possible date back to the
1920s. Most of the negatives found can
be matched to these photographs, yet some of the negatives appear to be unique
in that they may not have the accompanying developed image. I originally thought that I would be able to
get through this box of photographs in a couple of days, but due to the number
of photographs it may actually be into next week before I can finish. I would estimate that there are at minimum 300
photographs and negatives.
Mrs. Evelyn Jones, the volunteer who has been helping me with
the collection, will also be helping me finalize the arrangement. Since she is only here on Monday and
Wednesday mornings, we will use that time to come together and ensure that the
physical arrangement of the collection matches the inventory in the finding
aid. Currently, all series are grouped
into their own boxes. What we will do is
to merge the boxes together in alphabetical order according to the series and
then in chronological order for the projects series. Mrs. Jones’ help will be much appreciated so
that this process will be more expedient since one of us can read from the finding
aid while the other can ensure or adjust the physical documents as needed.
Once we have finalized the arrangement, we will then print
labels and attach them to the boxes and folders. The final steps are to make a CD and send the
metadata to National Union Catalog of
Manuscript Collections (NUCMC). I
will then take a few photographs of items within the collection to post to
HistoryPin. Since a processing archivist’s
work is never finished considering the backup in most archives, depending on
the amount of time I have left after finishing this one, I may process another
small collection. However, my main goal
is to ensure that this one is fully processed and accessible for researchers,
so I want to ensure its completion before I consider another project.
Note the heading above has changed from “William McKissack
Papers” to “McKissack & McKissack Architectural and Engineering Firm
Collection.” This title change is
intended to more accurately describe the collection. While it appears that these papers were given
to Franklin Library at Fisk University by William DeBerry McKissack, the
overwhelming majority of the records document the architectural firm’s business
dealings during the mid-twentieth century.
Not only does the documentation revolve around the firm itself, but the
personal information found within the collection relates to Moses and Calvin
McKissack, the founders, as opposed to donor William McKissack. This further supports my decision to alter
the name of the collection to better describe the contents.
Interesting Finds
The photographs are all very interesting. There are photographs that document the
progress of projects on Tennessee State University’s campus (then known as Tennessee
State A & I College). Almost all of
these images have a date on the back of the photograph. There are four photographs of a fire at one
of the College Hill buildings. There are
also photographs of what appears to be travel to another country. Images of beautiful architecture abound. Then there are photographs of people. These people are either part of the McKissack
family or members of various groups, such as the Knights of Pythias, in which
the McKissack’s were involved. Due to
the obscurity, the most unique finds in my opinion are the negatives that do
not match any of the photographs in the collection. It certainly adds mystery! Book Contributions
I am honored that Dr. Jessie Carney-Smith has asked me to
contribute some biographical sketches to a book she is working on about women
of the Harlem Renaissance. Not only do I
love to learn about women’s history, but I also love to write so I am excited
to research and write about influential women who may not have otherwise had
their place in history preserved without Dr. Smith’s efforts.
Until next time,
Amanda J.
CarterFranklin Library, Fisk University
IMLS HistoryMakers Fellow 2012-2013
No comments:
Post a Comment