American Archives Month is just around the corner, and each year archival repositories in the state of Virginia celebrate along with the rest of the country. What is Archives Month, you might ask? The Library of Virginia explains it well:
“Archives Month celebrates those institutions and individuals that help preserve and make accessible the important records of our actions as citizens, businesses, religious groups, government and society. The work of these institutions and individuals gives us a sense of being part of a larger picture and helps us begin to see ourselves connected to others—family, community, nation, or a group defined by ethnicity, religion, work or play. Previously observed as ‘Archives Week,’ we have expanded our activities to include the entire month of October.
“Since 2002, the Library of Virginia, in conjunction with the Virginia Caucus of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference (MARAC) and the Library of Virginia Foundation, has produced a poster commemorating the commonwealth’s archival and special collections, repositories and the rich, cultural record they protect. Cultural heritage repositories from across the state have contributed to the celebration by sharing images for inclusion on the poster, as well as each annual celebration web site, and by hosting events at their home institutions.”
In celebration of VA Archives Month this October, Special Collections Research Center will be hosting its first Archives Fair on George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus in Fenwick Library’s Main Reading Room (2nd floor) on October 5, from 1 – 3:30 pm. This is an opportunity to see what local Virginia archival repositories have to offer, speak to archivists, learn more about archives and archival services, and to see what interesting records they hold! We hope to see you there!
The following institutions will be at the Archives Fair:
– The Virginia Room
– Fairfax Circuit Court Historic Records Center
– Stewart Bell Jr. Archives, Handley Regional Library
– Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library
– Thomas Balch Library
– Local History and Special Collections, Alexandria Library
– Center for Local History and Arlington Community Archives, Arlington Public Library
– Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University
You can also RSVP on our Facebook page!
We hope to see you there!
Follow Special Collections Research Center on Social Media at our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter 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. Appointments are not necessary to request and view collections.
