June 2009 Archives

Name: Christie Lutz

Title/Duties: Assistant University Archivist for Public Services I am responsible for overseeing and coordinating public services at Mudd Library. This includes managing our general reference account; handling a variety of in-depth remote and in-person reference inquiries, from researchers within the University community to those around the world; introducing Princeton undergraduate classes to and assisting them with the use of our materials; and scheduling and working with staff and student assistants in order to maintain day-to-day services. And of course,”other duties as assigned.”

Recent projects: Helping curate our current exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of the University Archives.

Worked at Mudd since: 2005, but was a project archivist here also from 2000-2002, and was a graduate student intern in 1999. I was promoted to my current position in September 2008.

Why I like my job/archives: Each day is different, bringing new challenges, opportunities to engage in varied subject areas, and interaction with unique, interesting and surprising documents, photos, and objects. At Mudd I’ve had the opportunity to process material ranging from Adlai Stevenson campaign materials to Brooks Bowman’s (composer of the standard “East of the Sun and West of the Moon”) personal papers. As someone with an American Studies background, I find Mudd, and archives generally, a wonderful place to work. Also, at Mudd we’re embarking on digital and other technological initiatives that are allowing researchers to access and use our holdings in new ways, and we’re opening up new avenues for collaboration with users and colleagues on and off campus.

Favorite item/collection: I always have fun working with the Princeton University Archives Memorabilia Collection, especially when it comes to curating exhibitions. The experience of looking for appropriate objects for exhibits can be like sifting through a Princeton-themed (and curated) thrift shop.

Below is the text of an email exchange between University Archivist Dan Linke and David Nathan ‘90 concerning a portion of the Archives’ stereograph collection.

Hi Dan,

Here’s a listing with all the information I obtained yesterday, faithfully transcribed from the backs of the Historical Photograph Collection: Stereographs Series, circa 1869-1880. The only thing I omitted is a font issue — some titles appeared in all caps — and the repeating information about “College of New Jersey”, “R.H. Rose”, etc. Any idea where I might look for the missing cards?

Regards, David L. Nathan, M.D.

The Princeton University continued its 50th anniversary celebration by exhibiting the University’s 1748 Charter during Reunions Weekend on May 29th and 30th. More than 128 alumni, staff, and family members came out to view Mudd’s 2009 exhibition entitled The Best Old Place of All, featuring a variety of treasures from the archives on display. But undoubtedly the penultimate public display of the University Charter was the main draw. While always available online at the Princeton University Digital Library, the parchment original will only be showcased once more on Saturday, October 10, with no other public viewing planned before the University’s 300th Anniversary celebration in 2046.

The Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library, in conjunction with Princeton University’s Office of Communications, has just added its first videos to the University’s YouTube Channel. In the coming months, the Mudd Library plans to post a variety of audiovisual materials to the University’s two YouTube Channels, with items chosen from both the University Archives and Public Policy Papers.

Our first video chronicles the May 20, 1963 move of Corwin Hall to its current location across from Wallace Hall and Robertson Hall. After nearly two months of planning, Corwin Hall (then known as Wilson Hall), was pushed along steel tracks for 12 hours from its location on Washington Road in order to make room for the new Robertson Hall. Shot on 8 mm film, this video shows a time lapse of the move. For more details about this move, please see this entry in the Princeton Companion.

The Mudd Manuscript Library blog has garnered another honor as it was listed on the Associate Degree website as one of the 100+ blogs to Inspire the Creative Genius Inside of You. Click here. How these sites find us and monitor us, we don’t know, but we sure appreciate the publicity.