Other People's Treasures: The Challenges in Collecting, Telling, and Protecting Community Stories

Session Type: Invited Speaker Session

Abstract

The Documents recounting the activities of African American schools across the South prior to desegregation often failed to become part of easily accessible archival collections, thus challenging the ability of researchers to write comprehensive portraits of earlier periods of African American educational history. Today, efforts to locate, preserve, and digitize these records are increasing. But, what kinds of perplexing questions of ownership, representation, and reciprocity must accompany these important strides to achieve preservation? This session overviews current preservation efforts and raises critical questions of representation as researchers acquire increasing access. It also explores the concurrent challenges confronted by local communities as community museums seek to preserve and publicize their own histories.

Sub Unit

• AERA Presidential Session

Chair

• Imani Perry, Princeton University

Participants

• Calvin Cooley, Summer Hill Heritage Group

• Sherick A. Hughes, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

• C. Aaron Price, Museum of Science and Industry - Chicago

• Nicole Alia Salis Reyes, University of Hawaii - Manoa

• Kimberly Springle, Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives