How can we uncover the diverse voices in our collections? In archives at predominantly white institutions, our inherited collections often only record history through the lens of white administrations. However, within these collections we can “dig beneath the topsoil” for records that showcase the wide, diverse communities that are an integral part of our institutions. In this session, the presenters will discuss projects in which they dug beneath the surface to find stories of people historically underrepresented in their collections, and methods attendees can use at their own repositories.
Sarah Bush will talk about an exhibit she curated on the process of desegregation at Washington University School of Medicine, and how to work with what you have to make an exhibit on voices underrepresented in your repository. Jo Otremba will share about their search for records on segregated student teaching practices at Indiana University Bloomington and the archivist’s responsibility to disrupt “colorblind collections.” Jenna Stout will share how administrative records were redescribed and utilized for a centennial celebration of the Saint Louis Art Museum’s Education Department. This type of large-scale processing initiative can illuminate diverse stories and identify collecting gaps in museum institutional recordkeeping.
