Library Spotlights:
Andover Historical Society
Lawrence History Center
Andover Historical Society
The Andover Historical Society has completed the transcription of its Accession Register information into a museum computer database. About forty thousand entries are included and the transcription created highly searchable databases for 3D objects, photos, library items, and archival material.
PastPerfect had been selected as the most appropriate software for our application because of its scalability, and a decision was made to initially load this basic Register information and other primary data to become one complete searchable database. The project was started in 1999 under the direction of Barbara Thibault and Tom Edmonds, director and curator at that time. In the process of digitizing the information, much peripheral work was accomplished, -- entry checking, photographing, inventorying, etc. resulting in a one third increase in items from earlier estimates. The wide variations of data entry styles over the 98 years of our existence have been converged and placed under one umbrella.
With the completed Register database, the next phase will be to match library items and review and enhance the cataloging of archival items and general fine-tuning of the information. Detailed cataloging and refining will be a continuing process for the foreseeable future.
We particularly thank NMRLS for their significant support, having offered a number of applicable seminars and valuable training courses, and also in having aided in advertising for "help" for data processing. The work was accomplished essentially with volunteer pro-bono direction and labor, and comprised an estimated 15,000 hours of effort over an eight-year period.
Anyone with a particular interest is welcome to get in touch with Bob Marcus at the Andover Historical Society, 978 475 0842.
Lawrence History Center's Busy Year
By Amita Kiley, Assistant to the Director
For many families and businesses the summer months offer a chance to slow down and relax. Business owners catch up on paperwork, and families head to the beach. This summer proved to be a bit different - at least in the case of the Lawrence History Center!
LHC has had an exciting and eventful year, but the real activity started in May when we celebrated our 30th Anniversary in our historic courtyard. We carried out the "30" aspect with a Transforming Leadership theme. The Center selected ten historic Lawrencians who may not have been as well known as their counterparts, but were just as productive. We highlighted their accomplishments and tied them into the 21st century. For example, Alice O' Connor was a tireless immigrant reformer. Her mission was carried out and realized by the fact that Lawrence just celebrated the groundbreaking on the new immigration center being built right behind LHC! We have even been contacted by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Center about using our research as part of a permanent exhibit! Continuing the theme, we asked all ten of our former Eartha Dengler History Award recipients to each choose one person they believed to be a leader in the community. These chosen ten were honored at our 30th Anniversary. LHC held an outdoor ceremony in our historic courtyard on a warm, summer evening. Over 180 people of all nationalities and ages attended. Even Senator Sue Tucker was there! We had delicious food and live music; it was a truly magical birthday for the Lawrence History Center!
In June, we celebrated Essex St.'s return to a two way thoroughfare with a reception and ribbon cutting ceremony in our courtyard. Guests included Mayor Michael J. Sullivan, and other Lawrence dignitaries.
In August we hosted a performance as part of the LiveLawrence! Concert series. World renowned baritone Robert Honeysucker filled the courtyard with his dulcet tones; soprano Miho Sato and pianist Lindsay Albert performed pieces from various operas. Celtic harpist Aine Minogue performed, answered questions, and told stories about her magical instrument. North End Deli provided delicious Italian food and we also had a pottery vendor. The night began with a rainbow over the Merrimack River!
We know our courtyard is going to be home to many events in the coming years, so we gave it a bit of an "historic" face lift! We had seven permanent, weather-proof panels attached along our brick wall. These panels explain the buildings in our complex and highlight some of the workers who helped build the city of Lawrence. We also had our gates completely redone. Youthbuild Lawrence used the original Essex Company gate plans from 1883 to construct historically accurate gates for our complex. Artist Andrew Royce Fournier painted a mural of a train being welcomed into Lawrence. This painting was done on removable pieces of wood, and can be taken down to display at other venues. Pedestrians on Essex St. are constantly stopping to marvel at their city's courtyard.
Traffic to LHC has been incredible! We've had descendants of Charles Storrow and Abbott Lawrence come visit "their" history center! The Center used to close for the month of August because it was just so slow. Never again! In August alone we've had 73 visitors, from places as far as California! We must also include hits on our website when writing about traffic. We receive thousands of hits per day, and get constant research requests. People have contacted us from Anaheim, CA to Ann Arbor, Michigan to Damariscotta, Maine!
LHC has also worked with many schools this year. In March, we visited the Bruce School to speak with 8th grades about the Industrial Revolution. We held our 3rd annual History is What You Are Doing Now summer camp for Charter School students. Part of this camp was filmed for South Korean TV under the guidance of Cornell University Professor Michael Lim. With gas prices through the roof, some students and teachers from the Guilmette School in Lawrence walked a mile and a half (each way) to visit the Center for a tour and Q & A session. 51 3rd graders from the Gates School in Acton also visited LHC for a tour and lesson on the Industrial Revolution.
LHC is already preparing for the 100th Anniversary of the Bread and Roses Strike - Strike of 1912. We expect to be part of a permanent multi-media exhibit in Boston about the history of labor.
The Center has also been the recipient of some extremely generous donors this year. We've received grants from the always generous Stevens Foundation, Chet and Faye Sidell, Massachusetts Preservation Project Fund, Lawrence Community Development Department (Community Development Block Grant), Enel Corporation North America, and Essex National Heritage Commission.
The summer may be winding down, but the fun and events at the Lawrence History Center are just getting started! We're hosting a book signing with Alvin F. Oickle on September 3rd and our pushcart is a constant presence at the Lawrence Farmers market. We have a Mystery History Tour and Scavenger Hunt and a Bocce Ball game in the courtyard as part of the Trails and Sails weekend.
Economic times may be poor, but the city of Lawrence and the Lawrence History Center have never been richer! The LHC is no longer a "hidden" jewel. We are shining brighter than ever and becoming more and more well known every day. Our resources are being utilized like never before. We encourage everyone to come and see the wonderful resource that is behind the big brick wall on Essex Street!
