Wisconsin Archives Month: October
 2009 Archives Month poster, "Scrapbook Wisconsin." Click on the image to view a larger version of the poster. Wisconsin Archives Month celebrates the many ways historical records enrich our lives and recognizes the work of individuals and institutions to collect, preserve, and share records.
This year, the "Scrapbook Wisconsin" theme spotlights one familiar way that many people use documents to keep their own records and recall meaningful events in their lives.
Whether they are the traditional paper variety pictured in this year's poster or the newer versions made possible by computers and digital photography, scrapbooks are frequently found in our homes and in Wisconsin archives.
Check back with us in the next few weeks for information about 2009 Archives Month events, resources, and other news.
Each year a broad theme provides a framework for many different instutions to showcase treasured historical records through public programs. It also enhances awareness of and gives visibility to the celebration of archives and archivists.
To assist institutions with Archives Month programming, we have created a toolkit to help you as you plan and host your own open house. The toolkit walks you through the entire process of planning an open house, with tips to make your event a success. In the toolkit you will find guidelines, named Archives Open House DiY Guidelines (PDF, 37 KB). In the guidelines will find links to:
- our invitation template (PDF, 123 KB) which allows you to modify, print and mail your own invitations
- our press release template (PDF, 29 KB) which allows you to modify, print and send a press release to local newspapers, helping promote your event
- our sign template (PDF, 260 KB) which allows you to modify, print and post signs helping direct traffic through your facility and to parking areas
NOTE: Each document in the toolkit is in Adobe Acrobat, which allows you to download and print the files, but will not allow your modifications to be saved. Contact us if you would like the documents sent to you in another format.
We continually update our materials to serve you better. If you have other ideas that will expand this toolkit or other Archives Month suggestions, please forward them on to us!
Archives Month events are already being planned throughout Wisconsin. See the Archives Month sample events (PDF, 23 KB) to find out what's been done in the past for archives month. We encourage you to send us your event for inclusion.
Participate in Archives Month!
Comb your archives and historical collections for historical materials for use in programs that reflect Wisconsin's wide and varied stories, such as:
- photographs and posters
- audio recordings
- letters
- newspapers
- diaries
How do others celebrate Archives Month?
Each October the Society of American Archivists promotes American Archives Month: Celebrating the American Record, a nationally focused campaign to spotlight archives and archivists around the country. As part of this effort, the Wisconsin Historical Society and other archival institutions throughout the state celebrate Wisconsin Archives Month. This local effort brings attention to the rich historical record of Wisconsin and its people.
For more information about American Archives Month, see the Society of American Archivists website and the Council of State Archivists website.
Need Assistance?
The Wisconsin Historical Records Advisory Board staff will be glad to answer your questions and provide sources for help in planning your own Archives Month program.
Coordinator: Peter Gottlieb
Phone: 264-6480
Who Sponsors Archives Month?
Archives Month is an annual celebration and is co-sponsored by the Wisconsin Historical Records Advisory Board, a volunteer board appointed by the Governor in association with the Wisconsin Historical Society. The Society would like to thank Demco, Inc. and Spacesaver, Inc. for their generous support of Archives Month.
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