Oral History and Archives

Summary

Kimberly Springer, curator at Columbia's oral history archives, discusses the evolution of oral history as a discipline and its intersection with archival practices. She highlights the distinction between archiving and mere collecting, emphasizing the importance of unique objects and long-term preservation. The presentation outlines the history of oral archives, from focusing on notable figures to including grassroots narratives, reflecting broader social movements. Today, community-driven archives prioritize voices from diverse backgrounds, capturing critical historical events, such as the September 11 attacks, to illuminate collective experiences and foster inclusivity in historical narratives.

Takeaways

• 📚 The Columbia Oral History Archives, established in 1948, is one of the largest and oldest collections focused on a wide range of topics in humanities and social sciences.
• 🗣️ Oral history is crucial for illuminating social, political, and cultural histories through personal life stories.
• 🔍 The distinction between archiving and collecting involves judgments about both the objects saved and the processes used to preserve them.
• 🎙️ The case of Marion Stokes illustrates how individual collections can become archives with the help of metadata and institutional support.
• 🖼️ Archives contain unique objects and are records of information in fixed forms, unlike backups that can be restored.
• ⏳ Periodization in archiving reflects the changing values and priorities over time, revealing who and what was historically significant.
• 👥 The shift from a focus on notable figures to grassroots movements in both archives and oral histories marks a new phase in historical documentation.
• 🌍 Contemporary archiving values community involvement, recognizing individuals and communities as central agents in creating and maintaining archives.
• 📝 The Columbia Oral History Archives began to fill historical gaps by including interviews with notable figures, evolving to document grassroots movements and community histories.
• 🎥 The September 11th oral history project serves as an example of how oral histories can capture significant historical events and their impacts on individuals.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the Columbia Oral History Archives?

The Columbia Oral History Archives focuses on a range of topics in the humanities, social sciences, business history, and the arts, including activist histories and community narratives.

How does the presentation define the difference between archiving and collecting?

Archiving involves judgment about the significance of objects and how they are preserved, whereas collecting may lack such structured criteria. Archiving also emphasizes long-term preservation of unique materials.

Who was Marion Stokes, and why is she relevant to the discussion on archiving?

Marion Stokes was a television producer and civil rights activist who amassed a large collection of cable news broadcasts. Her work exemplifies the transition from personal collection to an organized archive, highlighting the importance of metadata and institutional support.

What are some characteristics that define an archive?

Archives contain unique objects, hold fixed records of information, and are distinct from backups as they are intended for long-term preservation without the expectation of restoration.

What does the term 'periodization' refer to in the context of archives?

Periodization refers to the division of time and events into discrete parts for analysis, which helps to understand the political and social priorities of different historical periods as reflected in archival collections.

How has the focus of archival collections evolved since the 1960s?

Since the 1960s, there has been a shift from focusing solely on notable individuals to including grassroots and social movements, reflecting changes in societal values around race, gender, and class.

What role do communities play in contemporary archiving practices?

Communities are now seen as active agents in the archival process, able to create and maintain their own archives, shifting the authority from historians to the communities themselves.

What significant project is mentioned in the presentation related to September 11th, 2001?

The September 11th Oral History Project at Columbia includes interviews with nearly 600 people, capturing diverse perspectives and experiences related to the events of that day.

What is the importance of metadata in creating an archive?

Metadata enhances the usability of archival materials by providing descriptive information such as media types, dates, and titles, making the content searchable and easier to access.

What are the current collecting priorities for the Columbia Oral History Archives?

Current collecting priorities include oral histories related to human rights developments, women's history, racial justice movements, and critical race studies, emphasizing community involvement and social issues.