Briscoe Center to Sponsor, Participate in the Austin Archives Bazaar
Sunday, October 16, 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saengerrunde Hall, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin.
Free and Open to the Public.
The Briscoe Center is proud to both sponsor and participate in this year’s Austin Archives Bazaar. Over 20 archival institutions in Central Texas have teamed up to raise awareness of the many resources available to locals interested in history and preservation. Participants will discover photographs, documents, films, maps, video games and more that are held in the incredible archival collections in and around Austin, as well as the host of public services available to them.
“The bazaar gives us an important opportunity to get off campus and into our local community to showcase the center’s collections alongside the many other local archives that make Austin especially rich in local, state and national history,” said Brenda Gunn, director for research and collections at the Briscoe Center.
“People are curious about Austin’s rich history, but rarely know where to go to find out more, and sometimes going to an archive can be an intimidating experience,” says Jennifer Hecker, chair of the Austin Archives Bazaar’s program committee. “Here they can learn about their area archives and have a great time finding out the best way to preserve their personal items. It’s so fun for people to discover all of the genuinely cool objects preserved in archives. Anyone interested in Austin history or their own family history will enjoy the bazaar.”
The twenty-three participating archives will exhibit their amazing collections and services throughout the event. Other attractions include a film screening featuring archival footage of Austin dating back to the 1910s and an oral history booth where participants can record their Austin stories. A full slate of speakers, including the Austin American-Statesman’s Michael Barnes and Joan Neuberger, professor of history at UT, will discuss the various ways they have used archives (including the Briscoe Center) in their writing and projects. At the Preservation Station, participants can bring their cherished materials, such as photographs, old letters and family scrapbooks, to learn from professionals how to best preserve their memories.
The bazaar is organized by the Archivists of Central Texas, a professional organization that exists to increase contact and communication between archivists and those working with records, to provide opportunities for networking and to promote archival repositories and activities in the greater Austin area. Get more information and see a list of the participating archives at www.austinarchivesbazaar.org.
Contact: Madeline Moya
Archivists of Central Texas
917.683.5810
austinarchivesbazaar@gmail.com
