Turning “Stuff” into Stories

BPW Local Organizations (LO’s), just like families, accumulate boxes of “stuff.” This is all valuable – or we wouldn’t’ be keeping it. Right? And we plan to get it into some kind of order, someday.

When you do start to sort through these things what do you keep?

Start with the bones: minutes, agendas, non-current rosters, and superceded bylaws. Then add the flesh: reports, newsletters, and correspondence. And, of course, photographs of people you can identify at events you can identify. Remember, the goal is to tell the story of your local BPW.

How to keep this “stuff?”

Acid-free folders and boxes are the order of the day. Paper can have a highly acidic quality, especially newsprint. As it ages, it becomes brittle and discolored. At that point, it crumbles at a touch.

When possible, store newsprint separately in its own acid-free folders and boxes. These containers will act like buffers so the acid doesn’t travel to unaffected items. Use archival quality clear page protectors and magazine jackets for items you may handle a lot, or multi-page materials. Laminate only as a last resort. The best storage method is reversible.

NOTE: I find Light Impressions @ www.lightimpressionsdirect.com a good source for tools and supplies that you can buy in small quantities. One caveat: slow turnaround on orders.

Organize the materials in the order in which they originated. In other words, Chronology Counts.

Prepare finding guides and/or indexes as you work. This will make it much easier to locate specific information or materials at a later date. At the same time you are reducing the number of times these items need to be handled to find the information they contain. For example, make a list of what materials are included in which boxes. Create an index of member names and where in the materials, (e.g. minutes, correspondence, reports, photographs) they can be found.

Finally, where do you keep this “stuff?”

Since it is made up of mostly organic materials, just like us, it likes to live in the same conditions we do. That is, no basements or attics, as these are places of temperature and humidity extremes.

Once everything is in order: properly organized in archival quality storage containers, indexed and the collection mapped out with finding guides, contact your local public library or historical society. They may be interested in adding your materials to their collection.

The benefit to them is enriching the local history information they have available, at little or no cost in staff time. You’re seeking shelf space in a good climate. The materials you give them will be organized into a comprehensive tale of your LO with accompanying finding tools to pinpoint information.

Your LO benefits from open access to your past in a public setting by your members or anyone interested in researching BPW’s contribution to your community. Visibility can come from announcing the gift to the Library/Museum and the appearance of your LO in the lists of their holdings.

The results of your efforts will be the “stuff” BPW LO dreams are made of.

Joan Rogers, Archivist/Historian, 666 S. Winding, Waterford, MI 48328, 248-618-7691 (B), 248-681-2911 (H)

Email: jmrogers4@comcast.net