We often get asked what a typical day in the Archives is like and, believe it or not, it is hard to describe just a single day in the life of SC&A. However, yesterday is a great example of a “typical day” with a reading room full of researchers, both Wright State University students and members of the community, Wilbear visitors getting their passports stamped, special guests, and outreach activities.
The day started with a visit from artist Reginald Harmon, who recently sculpted a bust of Paul Laurence Dunbar (we are having a dedication of the bust next Wednesday, February 21, from 3:30-5pm here in the reading room). Mr. Harmon was here to look at Dunbar material and be interviewed by the Wright State Newsroom.
Dawne sharing information with Reginald Harmon.
The afternoon kicked off with Dawne Dewey, head of SC&A, leading a tour of our space and collections for members of the Centerville-Washington Township Historical Society. Highlights included viewing photographs, letters, diaries, local government records, historic newspapers on microfilm, and, of course, items from the Wright Brothers Collection (MS-1). The group also had the opportunity to go behind the scenes and see our storage and work areas.
Centerville-Washington Township tour group.
While the tour was going on upstairs, Bill Stolz, archivist for reference and outreach, was downstairs presenting to an undergraduate English class on Paul Laurence Dunbar and archival material that can be used for their class projects. The class is focusing on the poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar and a “sense of place.” The students are researching areas of Dayton where Dunbar spent time and, possibly, was inspired to write a poem.
Powerpoint for English 4110 class.
As you can imagine, it was a busy day in Archives, but definitely not out of the ordinary. If you have yet to visit SC&A, but would like to stop in to have your Wilbear passport stamped, view the Wright Brothers exhibits, schedule a group or class tour, or conduct research, we are located on the 4th floor of Dunbar Library. The reading room is open Monday-Friday from 8:30am-5pm and Wednesday evenings during the semester until 9pm.