Archive of the Week: The Dance Archive

Founded in 1972 with the express purpose of providing a comprehensive dance resource center, The Dance Archive is part of the special collections offerings at the University of Denver library. It is home to thousands of artifacts relating to the history of dance in the Western world from Colorado and beyond. 

Within the collections are a wide variety of dance-related  materials from introductory square dancing sets to photographs of modern dance pioneer Ruth St. Denis. 

The Dance Archive can be visited in-person on the campus of the University of Denver. Or, online, via the large Digital Collections database through the University of Denver’s Special Collection’s site. 

Photos Courtesy of The Dance Archive. 

Archive of the Week: Museum of Flight Archives

While Seattle is now synonymous with big tech, it is also home to a wealth of aviation history. The Museum of Flight’s archives contain more than a million photographs, maps, charts, blueprints, log books, and other ephemera from the early days of the Wright Brothers to modern space exploration. 

Among the featured collections is the Elizabeth S. Keast Photograph Collection which includes 77 black and white photographs depicting aviation activity in North America between 1908 and 1930. With highlights like the “Graf Zeppelin” airship flying over  the New York City area, a portrait of Charles Lindbergh, and Ruth Law at the controls of a Curtiss Model D aircraft circa 1910s. 

Researchers can visit in-person by appointment or access materials online through the digital repository. 

Images Courtesy of the Museum of Flight Archives. 

Read more “Archive of the Week: Museum of Flight Archives” →

Archive of the Week: Historical Medical Library Collections

Established in 1788, the Historical Medical Library at the College of Physicians Philadelphia served as Philadelphia’s main medical library for more than a century. Today, the library boasts hundreds of thousands of physical and digital collections including an impressive collection of books printed prior to 1501. The Library has a close relationship with the Mutter Museum and has all kinds of niche health-related ephemera. 

Within the stacks a researcher can find treasures like Cocoa and chocolate; a short history of their production and use, with full and particular account of their properties, and of the various methods of preparing them for food – An 1899 illustrated pamphlet advertising the benefits of chocolate products for Walter Baker & Company. 

The Archive accepts visitors in-person in Philadelphia by appointment, or materials can be accessed online 24/7. 

Images courtesy of the Historical Medical Library Collections at the College of Physicians Philadelphia.

Read more “Archive of the Week: Historical Medical Library Collections” →

Archive of the Week: GM Heritage Archive

We are rolling into Spring Semester and excited to share the news that our Archives of the Month feature posts are transitioning to Archives of the Week! Check in here every Friday of Spring Semester to see an amazing archive highlighted. 

Our first stop is the General Motors Heritage Archive. This digital archive is home to more than 250,000 historical documents as well as millions of photographs, films, and digital images. 

The collection proudly boasts materials for nearly all models of General Motors cars and trucks from 1977 to the present. There are hundreds of vehicle information kits like that of the 1902 model year Cadillac, that can be viewed online. 

Researchers can visit the archive in person in Michigan by appointment only, or can request materials digitally.

Images Courtesy of the GM Heritage Archive 

Read more “Archive of the Week: GM Heritage Archive” →

Archive of the Month: The Polonsky Exhibition of the…

Nestled among the marbled halls  of the New York Public Library’s main building is the Polonsky Exhibition of the New York Public Library’s Treasures. While New York is already home to many literary treasures, this collection is unique in that it includes artifacts, manuscripts and items from all over the world.

Visitors are able to see a small portion of the collection up close when visiting the Stephen A Schwarzman Building in New York City. Additional items are kept archived or are available for viewing online. In-person and digital visitors are able to listen to the audio guide to learn more about some truly amazing pieces including Christopher Robin Milne’s own Winnie the Pooh and Charles Dickens’ writing table.

Though it is rather unusual to have so many unique artifacts in a public library, the easy access to archived materials makes this exhibition a great, free stop when in New York City. 

Photos Courtesy of Aryn Prestia, SAASC Blog Editor.