October brings back falling leaves, cooler weather, football, and most importantly Archives Month! Governor Bob McDonnell has officially proclaimed October as Virginia Archives Month. And the theme of this year’s celebration in the commonwealth is “Boxes to Bandwidth: Reconstructing the Past for the Future.” Archives Month celebrates the institutions and people responsible for preserving and making accessible records that play a critical role in preserving our documentary heritage. The work of archivists gives us a sense of being part of a larger picture and helps us begin to see ourselves connected to others – family, community, nation, or a group defined by ethnicity, religion, work, or play. For more information and to view images submitted by participating Virginia institutions, check out the Virginia Archives Month 2012 website. This year’s theme “Boxes to Bandwidth” is reflected in the 2012 Virginia Archives Month poster with images chosen to highlight Virginia’s rich history of service, innovation, creativity, and artistry.

Archives Month is a great time to attend a book talk, program, or workshop and to explore your local archives repository. The Library of Virginia is celebrating Archives Month with behind-the-scenes tours at 10:00 A.M. on October 10^th and 24^th. David Howard will present a talk on his work Lost Rights: The Misadventures of a Lost American Relic on Wednesday, October 10^th, at 12:00. For other events happening throughout Virginia see the Archives Month 2012 website.

Archives Month is a time to celebrate not only the value of Virginia’s historical records but also to recognize those who maintain those valuable documents. Join us in celebrating archives and archivists this October, and please take time to learn more about your local archival institutions and encourage others to recognize their contribution to the quality of life in our communities.

Archives Month is a collaborative project of the Library of Virginia, in conjunction with the Virginia State Historical Records Advisory Board, the National Historical Publications and Records Commission and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference.

 ”No people can be deemed masters of their own history until their public records, gathered, cared for, and rendered accessible to the investigator, have been systematically studied and the importance of their contents determined.” — Charles M. Andrews, Historian

Saturday, October 1, marked the official beginning of Archives Month, a nationwide celebration recognizing the critical role that archives and archivists play in preserving the documentary history of the nation. 

Since 2002, Virginia has celebrated those institutions and individuals in the commonwealth that help preserve and make accessible the important records of our actions as citizens, businesses, religious groups, government, and society.  The work of these repositories and individuals give us a sense of being part of a larger picture and helps us begin to see ourselves connected to others — family, community, nation or a group defined by ethnicity, religion, work or play. The result is a sense of belonging, direction and meaning. Far from focusing only on past accomplishments, those who care for our archives and special collections help provide us with a foundation for discussing the things that matter most in our communities today.

Archives Month is a collaborative project of the Library of Virginia, in conjunction with the Virginia State Historical Records Advisory Board, the National Historical Publications and Records Commission and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference. 

This year’s Archives Month theme is “Celebrating Advocacy for Archives” and is reflected in the 2011 Virginia Archives Month poster, which contains images from archival repositories around the state.  In addition, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell has issued a proclamation that recognizes the value of the state’s archives and archivists.  The certificate recognizes October 2011 as “Virginia Archives Month.”  There are many activities planned both at the Library of Virginia and at institutions around the state to celebrate and recognize Virginia’s archives and archivists. A full listing of these can be found on the Archives Month webpage. 

During Archives Month in Virginia, take time to learn more about your local archival institutions and encourage others to recognize their contribution to the quality of life in our communities. Also, be sure to take a moment this month to thank an archivist for all the important work they do each day to preserve the history of the Commonwealth.  

Let the celebration begin!

-Carl Childs, Local Records Director

October is Archives Month! The theme of this year’s celebration in Virginia is Making Connections: Archives and Imagination. Archives Month celebrates those institutions and individuals that help preserve and make accessible the important records of our actions as citizens, businesses, religious groups, government, and society. For more information and to view the images submitted by participating archives check out the Virginia Archives Month 2010 website.

Archives Month is a great time to attend a free program and explore an archives repository near you. On October 6th at noon, the Library of Virginia will host a free book signing and talk by Elizabeth Brown Pryor on her books Reading the Man: A Portrait of Robert E. Lee Through his Private Letters (winner of the 2008 Lincoln Prize) and Clara Barton, Professional Angel. Ms. Pryor will speak about her research adventures, past and present, in archives and libraries.

On Saturday, October 16th, the Virginia Historical Society invites you to a book launch featuring author Elizabeth Thalhimer Smartt, author of Finding Thalhimers.

In Roanoke, there will be a special Archives Month presentation on October 28th at the History Museum of Western Virginia featuring regional archaeologist Tom Klatka of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.

Virginia is home to more than 75 archives and special collections repositories that preserve our history for today’s—and tomorrow’s—researchers. Please join us as we celebrate this rich heritage.