Parent Institution Name
Address
10 1/2 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02118
Boston, MA 02118
Supervisor Email
Project Details
One of the follow, or as much as can be completed of the three in the given time period:
1. Elizabeth Nelson Fairchild letters received 1890-19073 boxes (circa 100 items)correspondence and photographs
A resident of Cambridge Massachusetts, Elizabeth Nelson Fairchild (1845-1921), traveled in artistic and literary circles locally and abroad. The collection consists of lively correspondences between Fairchild and women in Robert Louis Stevenson's family, including Stevenson's mother and aunts. Additionally, the collection contains one letter from Stevenson and a number of photographs of the author and his family members.
Although the collection has been foldered, it is still largely unorganized. It requires close examination to determine if it retains any sense of original order. If not, an alternative method of organization needs to be imposed; a MARC record needs enhancement and a finding aid to be crafted.
2. Alexander Williams Family papers 1863-19703 boxescorrespondence; photographs; notebooks; postcards; calling cards
The personal and professional correspondence of Alexander Williams (1854-1908), a Boston wool merchant and one time proprietor of the Corner Bookstore, form the bulk of this collection. Williams traveled to Eastern Asia, North Africa, and Europe for work and pleasure. Many of the letters are addressed to his wife, Mary Lewis Williams (1857-1912). Topics beyond the domestic sphere include family genealogy, the settling of estates, and art collecting. Other items in the collection include postcards, calling cards, and photographs documenting Williams's travels.
A first pass at processing this collection was performed several years ago. Again, it appears the work was never completed. The collection needs to be thoroughly examined, an order determined or developed, and a finding aid crafted.
3. Charles Pelham Greenough collection of legal and financial papers, 1563-19013 boxes (circa 175 items)correspondence, receipts, accounts, contracts, deeds, writs, etc.
An attorney practicing in Boston, Charles Pelham Greenough had an abiding interest in history. A member of the American Antiquarian Society and the Massachusetts Historical Society, Greenough had a particular fascination with archival matter generated from his profession. This collection of manuscipt legal documents compiled by Greenough date from the 16th to the early 19th century include French, English, and German materials.
A portion of this collection has been processed, but it is a source of confusion. For reasons that remain unclear, some (all?) of the documents have received item level cataloging, an unusual approach for the Athenaeum, given the time involved for a subject that is out of scope. For this collection we would like Abby to determine what items have catalog records and those that do not. We will also ask that she create a box list and/or a finding aid for the collection, as the current documentation is clearly incorrect.
1. Elizabeth Nelson Fairchild letters received 1890-19073 boxes (circa 100 items)correspondence and photographs
A resident of Cambridge Massachusetts, Elizabeth Nelson Fairchild (1845-1921), traveled in artistic and literary circles locally and abroad. The collection consists of lively correspondences between Fairchild and women in Robert Louis Stevenson's family, including Stevenson's mother and aunts. Additionally, the collection contains one letter from Stevenson and a number of photographs of the author and his family members.
Although the collection has been foldered, it is still largely unorganized. It requires close examination to determine if it retains any sense of original order. If not, an alternative method of organization needs to be imposed; a MARC record needs enhancement and a finding aid to be crafted.
2. Alexander Williams Family papers 1863-19703 boxescorrespondence; photographs; notebooks; postcards; calling cards
The personal and professional correspondence of Alexander Williams (1854-1908), a Boston wool merchant and one time proprietor of the Corner Bookstore, form the bulk of this collection. Williams traveled to Eastern Asia, North Africa, and Europe for work and pleasure. Many of the letters are addressed to his wife, Mary Lewis Williams (1857-1912). Topics beyond the domestic sphere include family genealogy, the settling of estates, and art collecting. Other items in the collection include postcards, calling cards, and photographs documenting Williams's travels.
A first pass at processing this collection was performed several years ago. Again, it appears the work was never completed. The collection needs to be thoroughly examined, an order determined or developed, and a finding aid crafted.
3. Charles Pelham Greenough collection of legal and financial papers, 1563-19013 boxes (circa 175 items)correspondence, receipts, accounts, contracts, deeds, writs, etc.
An attorney practicing in Boston, Charles Pelham Greenough had an abiding interest in history. A member of the American Antiquarian Society and the Massachusetts Historical Society, Greenough had a particular fascination with archival matter generated from his profession. This collection of manuscipt legal documents compiled by Greenough date from the 16th to the early 19th century include French, English, and German materials.
A portion of this collection has been processed, but it is a source of confusion. For reasons that remain unclear, some (all?) of the documents have received item level cataloging, an unusual approach for the Athenaeum, given the time involved for a subject that is out of scope. For this collection we would like Abby to determine what items have catalog records and those that do not. We will also ask that she create a box list and/or a finding aid for the collection, as the current documentation is clearly incorrect.
Are you willing to complete two evaluations of your students progress through out the course of the semester?
Yes
Requirements
Abby is currently employed as an intern at the Boston Athenaeum has already submitted all necessary documentation.
Supervisor Phone
617-227-0270
How many positions do you have available?
1
Supervisor Name
Will Evans
Assignment
Course Option
LIS 438
Semester
Fall 2024
Department
Technical Services
State
MA