Sometimes archives, such as the one at the Ohio History Center, are so large and overwhelming that it seems as if any new donation will join many rows of boxes and sit on the shelf for the rest of time. This could not be further from the truth.
Archives are living, breathing centers of learning and creativity. Researchers are always finding new facts, even about items that have been on the shelves for years.
But you don’t have to be a professional researcher to add information to the collections at the Ohio History Connection. I was reminded of this fact just this week when I took this photograph (donated in 1974) out of the archives for display at a public event:
Multiple people approached my table at this event and said, “Hey I know that person!” I was able to write down a few names, and now those individuals’ names will be preserved for years to come- just like this photograph.
While we definitely do know a lot about our collections at the Ohio History Connection Archives/Library, we are not the ultimate authority on Ohio history. Preserving our past requires everyone’s participation. One of the best parts of an archivist’s job is learning new things, especially from those who actually lived a moment in history.
If you’re in Columbus, stop over to the Ohio History Center Archives/Library, or if not, browse our collection at home using Ohio Memory. You never know what you might learn- or what you knowledge you may have to share!
