Highlights Archives
Archives Week 2005 Heralds Wisconsin Women
How do authors of historical books such as Women's Wisconsin or producers of films such as Good Night, and Good Luck know what really happened in the distant past? They consult primary sources such as original manuscripts, photographs and other unpublished records held in collections such as those found in the Wisconsin Historical Society's archives and at 13 Area Research Centers around the state, an archival network the Society operates in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin. October 16-22 marks Wisconsin Archives Week, a statewide event that provides the framework for recognizing the importance that historical records play in documenting our history.
Each year Wisconsin Archives Week celebrates the value of these historical records and the people who care for them in dozens of organizations around our state. Original documents tell the stories of our families, communities, businesses, civic organizations, and government institutions. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Historical Records Advisory Board and the Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin's Archives Week is one of many such celebrations across the nation that promote the mission of archives. The Society maintains one of the premier archival collections in the nation, with about 30,000 separate collections of unpublished records. These include personal letters and journals, minutes of meetings, records of organizations, scrapbooks, diaries, photographs, sound recordings and other one-of-a-kind documents. These collections are open to anyone with an interest and are used annually by thousands of students, genealogists, academic researchers, and many others with a need to use records of the past.
"Wisconsin Women," the theme of Archives Week this year, gives repositories around the state an opportunity to highlight materials that document the contributions of women to our history. More than 400 of the Society's archival collections specifically document the lives of Wisconsin women. You can see brief descriptions of them by using the online catalog, ArCat, and find more detailed descriptions of 60 percent of the collection in Encoded Archival Description (EAD) format. You can learn more about some of the best-known Wisconsin women and the records they created, or read a short history of women in Wisconsin. More than 1,000 historic photographs of Wisconsin women at work and leisure are available in a new online exhibit.
Join us as we celebrate the community of people who collect, share, preserve and enjoy these one-of-a-kind resources. You can find Archives Week events listed on the Society's calendar, and your public library, local historical society or nearest Area Research Center may also be hosting events in your area.
:: Posted October 17, 2005
|
