Northeastern University Archives and Special Collections Celebrates Lower Level Reopening

By Molly Brown

On the evening of June 13, 2024, nearly 100 people gathered in the newly renovated lower level of Snell Library to celebrate the reopening of the Northeastern University Archives and Special Collections. After two years of temporary locations and closure, the Archives and Special Collections had a lot to celebrate: a new classroom space for Teaching with Archives instruction, a brighter and more welcoming reading room, and enhanced processing and collaborative workspace, as well as expanded storage to support the future of expanding collections.

 

Although the celebration was held as a result of renovation, it was also an opportunity for the archives to honor their collections donors, community collaborators, and supporters. Long-time and new partners alike gathered in the lower level and were greeted with exhibits, interactive displays of archival collections, and stations highlighting the work of the Boston Research Center, Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project, and the library’s growing artists’ book collection. For every collection donor in attendance, there was a record selected from their papers on display.

 

 

Dr. Lily Song, Professor Margaret Burnham, and Dr. Karilyn Crockett offered their voices in testimony of the impact of the archives in short speeches to kick off the event, and Dean of the Library Dan Cohen, Provost David Madigan, and Head of Special Collections Giordana Mecagni also spoke to the history and future of the Northeastern University Archives and Special Collections.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The diverse and vibrant history of Boston’s neighborhoods was reflected in the special collections on display as well as in the attendees of the event. Former Chinese Progressive Association leader Suzanne Lee had the pleasure of identifying herself in one of the exhibits, and many collection donors were able to share and activate the archival displays with their own stories. Attendees left with a miniature archival box filled with all the tools needed for archival research as a parting gift at the end of the celebration.

While this event has come and gone, the Archives and Special Collections staff are working hard to maintain the momentum of this celebration and invite you to come and visit their new space.