Posted on behalf of Hillary Kativa.
As 2017 draws to a close, many thanks to all of the DVAG members who joined us for our 2nd annual holiday potluck at the American Philosophical Society on December 8th and at events throughout the past year. And what a busy and exciting year it was, beginning in March with our discussion of reading room policies and practices, hosted at the Chemical Heritage Foundation. We also took special tours of the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts, Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, and the Barnes Foundation. In addition, we toasted the 50th anniversary of Temple University’s Urban Archives and gathered to discuss SAA’s One Book, One Profession selection Through the Archival Looking Glass: A Reader on Diversity and Inclusion. We hope you enjoyed this year’s programming and look forward to bringing you more great events and initiatives in 2018.
Recently, we held our annual officer elections and are welcoming a number of new members to the Planning Committee in 2018: Nicole Joniec (Secretary); Lillian Kinney (At-Large Member); and Sarah Leu (At-Large Member). Additionally, after completing a two-year term as At-Large Member, Kelsey Duinkerken was elected Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect and Hoang Tran was re-elected to a second, two-year term as Treasurer. And a special thanks to several PC members who are completing their terms of office: Rayna Andrews (At-Large Member, 2016); Jessica Hoffman (Secretary, 2016-2017); and especially Christiana Dobrzynski, who served as four-year term as Vice-Chair/Chair/Past Chair.
Finally, Archives Month Philly celebrated its 5th year in triumphant fashion with 21 special events and 8 ongoing exhibitions at cultural institutions throughout the Delaware Valley region, Delaware, and New Jersey. This year, old favorites like Philly History Quizzo and the ever-popular Philadelphia Lantern Slide Salon at the Wagner Free Institute of Science joined a bevy of new events, including a film screening at Hagley Museum and Library, transcribe-a-thon at Swarthmore College, and an “Escape the Archives” challenge at the Othmer Library of Chemical History. For a full recap and to get inspired for next year, check out AMP’s 2017 Storify: https://storify.com/ArchMonthPhilly/archives-month-philly-2017.
In close, 2017 was an exciting year for DVAG and I hope you’re as excited as I am to see what 2018 has in store. As I conclude my term as Chair and hand over the reins to our incoming Chair, Ken Cleary, I’m happy to say it’s been a pleasure to serve at the helm of the DVAG Planning Committee and our vibrant archival community. Happy New Year to all and, if you have ideas for DVAG events or initiatives, please don’t hesitate to email chairDVAG@gmail.com or share them in the comments below.
Delaware Valley Archivists Group 