SI-ASB-2009: Smithsonian Institution National Museum of American History


Smithsonian Institution National Museum of American History Archives Center, Room 1100, MRC 601 Washington, DC 20013-7012 americanhistory.si.edu	Projects 1
The Archives Center supports the mission of the National Museum of American History by preserving and providing access to documentary evidence of America's past. The Center's collections complement the Museum's artifacts and are used for scholarly research, exhibitions, publications, documentary productions, school programs, and other research and educational activities. The Archives Center holds more than 1,000 collections which are stored in the American History building and at off-site storage locations. In addition to paper-based textual records, many Center collections contain photographs, motion picture films, videotapes, and sound recordings. The topics of technology, advertising, and music offer one way to categorize the Archives Center's varied holdings, but the collections are rich in important historical themes and topics that cut across these lines.
Photos and Comments

I processed, rehoused, and foldered materials from two collections. I liked working with the staff; the work was fairly interesting and I learned several new things; I enjoyed being able to have some "behind the scenes" tours at the museum; I enjoyed working with a group of four other SI students. I was interested in working in a museum setting; I thought this sounded interesting because of some of the skills we were going to learn. It reinforced my interest in archives and museum work.

I thought my supervisor did a good job of teaching us things and helping us understand more about archiving and museums. All of the department staff were very friendly and helpful.

Projects

Alexander Binder Company Records [1911-1966?]

Intern: Sarah Gurnick, Audrey Riojas, Amy Stilgenbauer, Nathan Tomlanovich, Lauren Wendel

Code: SINMAH-01

Interns
5

Alexander Binder Company Records [1911-1966?] consist of approximately six cubic feet of materials documenting the Alexander Binder Company of Washington D.C. The company was founded by engineer and inventor William B. Alexander and his brother Clinton Alexander. The company manufactured three main types of products: plummet adjusters for engineering surveys tape splices and several types of heavy duty binder systems for corporate record keeping. The majority of the corporate resources were allocated to the production of binder systems which the company patented. The company also created a variety of binder models including some with specific paper forms or systems to organize corporate record keeping. The records include correspondence sales and marketing records patents newspaper clippings receipts ephemera and binder samples. Students will assist Archives Center staff in re-housing all of the records and create a container list. Students will also participate in learning how to build custom housing--sink mats and blue board boxes for ledgers and other bound volumes.

The SI Alternative Spring Break is open to graduate students of the University of Michigan's School of Information. Undergraduates looking for Alternative Spring Break opportunities should look into the University of Michigan Alternative Spring Break program administered by U-M's Ginsberg Center.