NEWS: Spelman Archives Joins Atlanta Black Archives Alliance
In keeping with its mission to preserve the unique history of Spelman College as well as the broad experiences of women of the African diaspora, Spelman Archives recently became a member of the Atlanta Black Archives Alliance. As a member, the Archives will collaborate with other Atlanta archivists and provide researchers better access and understanding of the diverse collections related to local African-American history.
Spelman archivist Holly A. Smith will attend the monthly meetings of ABAA and provide details and context for Spelman’s archival collection. “Atlanta is rich in African-American history and Spelman has been a part of Atlanta’s story for over 135 years,” she said. “It benefits so many people to learn about the diverse collections related to the surrounding African-American communities and to understand the role of Spelman and Black women in this country’s legacy and its future.” Smith will also contribute to public programming and the development of ABAA’s resources.
Spelman College has been committed to documenting its history since its founding in 1881. This includes the College’s administrative records, as well as the personal papers and other material created by the alumnae, faculty, staff and affiliates.
The primary mission of the Spelman archives is to collect, preserve, organize and make available for research historically significant documents and other materials which reflect the College’s origins and development as well as the activities of its constituents and affiliates.
A component of the Women’s Research and Resource Center, the archives is a fully functional unit of the College which is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Research in the archives is scheduled by appointment only and serves faculty, staff, students, alumnae, the Atlanta University Center, scholars, researchers and the general public.
As the official repository of the College, the greater part of the archives consists of administrative records, departmental and program records, publications, photographs and other material relating to the history and administration of the College.
The archives is also the repository for the records of the
National Alumnae Association of Spelman College and the Atlanta Chapter of the National Alumnae of Spelman College.
(Pictured: Spelman College Archivist Holly Smith and Archives Assistant Kassandra Ware with the 1950 Read Hall Time Capsule unearthed in 2014)