On October 3, archivists from the Cambridge Historical Commission took over the City of Cambridge Twitter account to answer your questions about any and all things archives.
This day-long event, sponsored by the Society of American Archivists, was an opportunity for the Cambridge community (or really anyone from around the world) to connect directly with our archivists.
Check out a sample of the great information provided by our archivists below.
It's #AskAnArchivist Day! Emily and Meta from the Cambridge Historical Commission are ready to answer your questions. Tweet or email them your questions at histcomm@cambridgema.gov. #CambMA pic.twitter.com/qh0DY7sbYE
— City of Cambridge (@CambMA) October 3, 2018
Meta's favorite thing about being an archivist: Creating access. Meta's least favorite thing about being an archivist: Backlogs. #AskAnArchivist #CambMA
— City of Cambridge (@CambMA) October 3, 2018
Q: What is one of your more surprising collections at the Historical Commission?
A: Our Boston Globe Cambridge Clippings Collection — watch this video to learn more. #AskAnArchivist #CambMA pic.twitter.com/tnJW1ZiPQS— City of Cambridge (@CambMA) October 3, 2018
Meta says: "While inventorying collections at @okhistory I came across a lock of hair!" 😲
— City of Cambridge (@CambMA) October 3, 2018
Emily says: Not sure if this qualifies as the nastiest, but I really didn't like handling these ca. 1940s Motor Boot Spats. Something about the old fabric and fur grossed me out. (Still glad we have them, though, because they are cool!) #AskAnArchivist #CambMA pic.twitter.com/lrUmMqXlkm
— City of Cambridge (@CambMA) October 3, 2018
Are you interested in learning about the history of Cambridge cemeteries or performing genealogical research? All you have to do is #AskAnArchivist! #CambMA pic.twitter.com/Cwetkn26Nf
— City of Cambridge (@CambMA) October 3, 2018
Exec Director Charles Sullivan also tells us about the time he found a (used) toothbrush in a new collection. That seems pretty nasty. #AskAnArchivist #CambMA
— City of Cambridge (@CambMA) October 3, 2018
Q: Are you the same thing as the Cambridge Historical Society?
A: One of our most common questions! No, we are two separate organizations – the Commission is a department of the City, the Society is privately funded. We both love Cambridge history & we work together often. (1/2)— City of Cambridge (@CambMA) October 3, 2018
Q: Are you the same thing as the Cambridge Historical Society?
A: (contin'd) Check out the Society's awesome collections https://t.co/IxDPX5lH56 and tweet them today for #AskAnArchivist Day! @CambridgeHS. #CambMA (2/2)— City of Cambridge (@CambMA) October 3, 2018
:-O #CambMA https://t.co/NTblCQ2Q54
— City of Cambridge (@CambMA) October 3, 2018
Q: How many items does the Historical Commission hold? What is the oldest item?
A: Uffda! 1000s of papers, photographs, architectural drawings…we'll get back to you with the updated cubic ft measurement. (1/2)— City of Cambridge (@CambMA) October 3, 2018
Q: (contin'd) What is the oldest item?
A: Oldest item might be this spike from the William Brattle house at 42 Brattle Street, ca. 1727. People apparently used to bring in "remnants" from the old Washington Elm tree. (2/2) #AskAnArchivist #CambMA pic.twitter.com/gyfXWlSFea— City of Cambridge (@CambMA) October 3, 2018
Q: What is the rarest item in your archives?
A: Our architectural inventory! The inventory includes survey forms, photographs, and other documentation on all 30,000+ buildings in the City. You won't find a lot of this information anywhere else. #AskAnArchivist #CambMA— City of Cambridge (@CambMA) October 3, 2018
Q: What’s something about being an archivist that people might not know?
A: Archiving is more than working with old documents. We wear many hats! Outreach, digitizing, collection organization, and research are just some of our many responsibilities. #AskAnArchivist #CambMA— City of Cambridge (@CambMA) October 3, 2018
Q: What is a service that the Commission provides that the public might not know about?
A: We can help you research your house & assist with family history research. We also help folks with tips on preserving their family photographs and personal papers. #AskAnArchivist #CambMA pic.twitter.com/9UynNoilaY— City of Cambridge (@CambMA) October 3, 2018
Interested in researching community development? #AskAnArchivist! – We have materials documenting the history of Cambridge city departments, including the Recreation Department and Transportation Department. Watch this video to learn more about one of these collections #CambMA pic.twitter.com/IvfUGOekka
— City of Cambridge (@CambMA) October 3, 2018
Yes to #cats in the archives! Here are three photos of cats and their humans from our Godinho Family Collection. #AskAnArchivist #CambMA pic.twitter.com/cVYheHJCXO
— City of Cambridge (@CambMA) October 3, 2018
It's been a blast answering all of your questions and engaging with other amazing archivists today! Thanks for joining us for #AskAnArchivist Day! (1/2) #CambMA
— City of Cambridge (@CambMA) October 3, 2018
To learn more about the Cambridge Historical Commission's archives, check out one of our upcoming Archives 101 tours on Oct. 10 at 1 pm, or Oct. 22 at 6 pm: https://t.co/4F47FXJJCT. #AskAnArchivist #CambMA
— City of Cambridge (@CambMA) October 3, 2018
What a great job by the Historical Commission’s Meta Partenheimer and Emily Gonzalez to answer all of the #AskAnArchivist questions!
