Week 29: Ardra Whitney @ Avery Research Center

Monday, March 18^th:

Administrative Assistant, Savannah Frierson and I worked on scanning and printing images of materials selected for display in the Phillis Wheatley Literary and Social Club exhibit—materials which included, a thank you note to the club from W.E.B. DuBois (1925); correspondence from Mary McLeod Bethune to Mrs. Miriam D. Seabrook (1931); and a press release announcing the club’s sponsorship of an exhibit of art works and paintings by black artists for the Spoleto Festival (1978). Although before we could get started, she had to install the two office printers to the new workstation computer in the processing lab. While scanning materials from the Phillis Wheatley Literary and Social Club Papers with Savannah; club member, Cynthia McCottry-Smith stopped by to follow up with me about locating photos of the club’s founder, Jeannette K. Cox to use in the exhibit. Ms. Smith also took some time to tell me about members of the club pictured in a circa 1949 photo. She recalled that one of the members taught her when she was in school and that another member’s husband owned a realty company in Charleston.

Tuesday, March 19^th:

As I worked on placing the exhibit items, Curator, Curtis Franks and Assistant Director, Deborah Wright observed that the documents on display needed some form of support to prevent them from curling or bending. I agreed and so Mr. Franks went out and purchased some white mounting board to help reinforce the documents, which were placed on upright clear acrylic display stands. Mr. Franks was also able to find a large portrait of Mrs. Cox to hang as part of the exhibit. I was very happy about this because her image positioned over the exhibit materials serves as a wonderful focal point.

Wednesday, March 20^th:

Throughout the day I continued surveying the Virginia Geraty Papers by making an item list of her many notebooks (and scrapbooks), which contain: lesson plans on Gullah grammar instruction; Gullah vocabulary; fables, poems and short stories translated into Gullah; as well as other literary productions and notes pertaining to Gullah language education/instruction.

Thursday, March 21^st:

In the morning I met with Manager of Archival Services, Aaron Spelbring and Processing Archivist, Georgette Mayo to discuss department updates and submissions for the inaugural undergraduate essay contest. I also began processing the audio-visual material from the Virginia Geraty collection, which includes cassette tape recordings of her presentations and speaking engagements, lectures at the College of Charleston, and Gullah music; as well as video cassette tapes of television programs/films on Gullah language and culture.

In the afternoon, I participated in The HistoryMakers’ Monthly Professional Development Call with the former Chief Curator and Director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and present Director of Howard University’s Moorland Spingarn Research Center, Howard Dodson, Jr. I enjoyed his remarks on the differences between museum and library curators, in addition to his observations on what makes a library successful.

Friday, March 22^nd:

By the end of the week I had completed 11 out of 12 boxes from the Virginia Geraty Papers and began surveying the final box from the collection.

Ardra Whitney: Week 7 @ Avery Research Center

 

You know you’re a nerd when you get excited about the opportunity to gaze at the stars. I can’t wait until next month when the Physics and Astronomy department at the College of Charleston holds an open house at the Rita Liddy Hollings Science Center. The center has a 16-in telescope in its rooftop observatory and an observing deck with smaller telescopes, which will be available for public use on the third Friday in November. Additionally, the open house will also feature fun activities and demonstrations (indoor and outdoor) in rooms on the first floor of the science building.

 

Monday, October 15^th and Tuesday, October 16^th:

I met with Processing Archivist, Georgette Mayo and Manager of Archival Services, Aaron Spelbring to review questions I had about general collections processing at Avery, as well as specific questions related to processing the W. Melvin Brown, Jr. Papers and Edwina Harleston Whitlock Papers (e.g., restricting confidential materials, finding aid preparation and collection arrangement). I also began developing a series arrangement, biographical note and scope and content note for the Edwina Harleston Whitlock Papers. During my meeting with Ms. Mayo on Tuesday, I learned that she served as co-director of the South Carolina Archival Association.

 

Wednesday, October 17^th:

I completed evaluating part two of Debra Lee’s video oral history interview and participated in The HistoryMakers 2012-2013 IMLS Fellowship Professional Development Conference Call with Andrea Jackson, Head of the Archives Research Center at the Robert W. Woodruff Library at Atlanta University Center. Ms. Jackson spoke about her experiences in the archival profession, including the challenges and changes she’s encountered in the field over the years. I asked questions about her collaborations with other archivists and archives, as well as her participation in conferences, panels and public/outreach programs.

 

Thursday, October 18^th:

I followed up with Ms. Jackson via e-mail and asked her if she would contribute a quote to the American Archives Month social media campaign at Avery.

 

Friday, October 19^th:

I worked with Reference Librarian, Deborah Wright in Avery’s reading room, where I completed scanning the scrapbook from the W. Melvin Brown, Jr. Papers and transferred those images to the Z: Drive. Public Historian, Robert T. Chase also stopped by and asked me to digitize images from Avery’s Black Power Conference taken by Imam Hakim Abdul – Ali. In addition, Ms. Wright, Ms. Mayo, and myself worked together to generate Facebook posts for the American Archives Month celebration at Avery and launch the center’s new YouTube channel: AveryResearchLive.