Unearthing African American Memory: Collaborative Efforts between Historians and Archivists

Session Submission Type: Roundtable

Abstract

This roundtable of historians and archivists will share collaborative efforts to provide increased access to under-utilized, and sometimes untouched, primary source material in African American history. By discussing special archival projects undertaken by researchers and archivists at the Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library and Spelman College in Atlanta, GA, as well as at other African American archival repositories, the presenters will detail their experiences in preparing unprocessed materials and making these collections open to the public. Without scholarly access to hidden archival materials – many which have often been unavailable for research in institutional archives for decades – historical narratives and memory may be warped, hindered, or completely silenced, if left uncovered. This panel will remind historians and other scholars of the mutual benefit in working in concert to find and process overlooked materials. Such collaborative projects can lead toward new and innovative research for dissertations, journal articles, and books based on previously untapped materials. As scholars of the African American experience discussing "sites of memory" at this year's conference, it is worthwhile to support these efforts and work ever more closely with archivists to unearth the important and rich historical material already found within our libraries today.

Sub Unit

• 101st Annual Meeting and Conference of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History

Chair

• Andrea Renee Jackson, Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library

Discussants

• Brandon Kyron Winford, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

• Melanie Chambliss, Northwestern University

• Holly Smith, Spelman College

• Torren Gatson, Middle Tennessee State University

• Andrea Renee Jackson, Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library