The Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) recently had the opportunity to visit with some of our neighbor archives in the Northern Virginia-D.C. Metro area. In this new blog series, we’ll be recapping these new connections with members our local archival community, providing insights into the lessons we learned, and highlighting some of our favorite experiences from each of these visits.
Details from the reading room at the Smithsonian Archives Center, National Museum of American History
On December 13, we were invited by Franklin Robinson, Jr. to tour the Smithsonian Archives Center located inside the National Museum of American History. In addition to his work as an Archives Technician at the Archives Center, Robinson also works at Mason as Adjunct Faculty for the School of Theater, College of Visual & Performing Arts. The visit included a tour of the archives reading room and closed stack space, as well as the “Treasures and Trouble: Looking Inside a Legendary Blues Archive” exhibit. Robinson also pulled a specially curated selection of items that included both local Virginia history and performing arts materials.
Frank Robinson, Jr. speaking about the “Treasures and Trouble: Looking Inside a Legendary Blues Archive” exhibit
“I had such a great time at the Archives Center Reading Room! Frank pulled a really engaging mix of records for us to view!” – Mieko, SCRC Research Services Coordinator
SCRC staff and student workers inside the Smithsonian Archives Center reading room with Frank Robinson, Jr.
“The tailored display was so thoughtful and informative! Being able to see ‘behind the curtain’ was fantastic and we are already applying some of the smart box labeling we saw in action!” – Lynn, SCRC Director
Sample of some of the items and collections on display during our visit
“Not only was it exciting to get to interact with materials from the Archives Center’s collections, but seeing how other institutions house different material types, such as photographs, helped reinforce our own policies and practices” – Meghan, SCRC Processing Manager
Sample of housing for a photograph collection on display during our visit
“I love going to visit fellow archivists! It always results in new connections and fresh ideas. For instance, our visit to the Smithsonian Archives Center resulted in a simple but helpful improvement for SCRC’s stacks – ‘heavy box’ labels! Archival boxes can be heavy, sometimes deceptively so. Seeing these in use at this repository was a light bulb moment to make things a tad easier for our staff. Not to mention all the seriously cool and important stuff you get to see!” – Amanda, SCRC Manuscripts & Archives Librarian
An example of a lesson put into practice back at SCRC
After our tour and visit, we of course had to take advantage of being inside the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History by checking out the “Entertainment Nation” and “FOOD: Transforming the American Table” exhibits to visit a few of SCRC’s favorite pop culture icons and items.
Our Manuscript & Archives and Preservation Librarians posing with Kermit & Miss Piggy (left), C-3PO & R2-D2 (center), & a display of pots from Julia Child’s kitchen (right)
Our University Archivist rocking out with Prince’s guitar (left), our Processing Manager posing with Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers (top right), & some of our friends from Sesame Street (bottom right)
Everyone at SCRC extends another huge thank you to Frank Robinson, Jr. and everyone at the Smithsonian Archives Center for a truly wonderful and welcoming visit! We can’t wait to bring you more highlights from these visits as we continue to strengthen our connections with our “Archives Neighbors”.
Follow SCRC on Social Media and look out for future posts on our Facebook and Instagram accounts. To search the collections held at Special Collections Research Center, go to our website and browse the finding aids by subject or title. You may also e-mail us at speccoll@gmu.edu or call 703-993-2220 if you would like to schedule an appointment, request materials, or if you have questions.
