d'Archive: Recent Episodes
Graham Stinnett
Opening the UConn Archives & Special Collections for discussions on historical research, access to information, rare audio recordings and information work.
This episode features an exhibition walkthrough with alumni Gary King (’74) who was active in organizing Black students during his time at the University of Connecticut, Storrs campus. One of the high-water marks for activism by students of color at UConn was the 1974 Black Student Sit-In in Wilbur Cross Library which he operated as […]
This episode features an interview with alumni Rodney Bass (BA ’75/MA ’76) who was active in organizing Black students through the Organization of African American Students (OAAS) during his time at the University of Connecticut, Storrs campus. One of the high-water marks for activism by students of color at UConn was the 1974 Black Student […]
The 50th episode of d’Archive is the first of a new format that will appear periodically on the podcast which integrates my field recordings from the archives doing research into selected topics. This episode features a deep dive into archives and library collections that relate to the high fantasy world of Middle-Earth created by author J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973) and it’s intersection with the counterculture in the United States in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Featured Collections at UConn Library
Alternative Press Index (online)
Alternative Press Pins & Button Collection
BBC Sound Effects Library
Billie M. Levy Collection of Illustrated Children’s Books
Collected Works by and about J.R.R. Tolkien
Ethel L. Heins Collection of Sound Recordings for Children
Fanzine Collection
Northeast Children’s Literature Collections
Featured Collections
Digital Public Library of America
Independent Voices
Mythlore/Tolkien Journal
S. Gary Hunnewell Tolkien Fanzine Collection at Marquette’s Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Logo by Melica Stinnett
This episode of d’Archive features a conversation with metadata librarian Rhonda Kauffman about her zine collection (1994-2019) donated to the archives & special collections in 2019. Starting in 2020, Rhonda has worked to bring zines to the UConn Library and to help establish the Liberated Zine Zone on Level B of Homer Babbidge Library, a circulating zine collection actively seeking to incorporate student created zines.
Featured Collections
Liberated Zine Zone
Rhonda Kauffman Zine Collection
Logo by Melica Stinnett
This episode of d’Archive features a conversation between railroad photographer and collector Jack Swanberg and railroad collections archivist Laura Smith. Laura talks with Jack about his interest and pursuit of photographing trains across the world and the collection he has built over the years. Jack’s collection is deeded to the Archives & Special Collections and has been digitized and is available through the Connecticut Digital Archives.
Featured Collections
J. W. Swanberg Papers: finding aid / digital archives
This episode features interviews with University of Connecticut alumn and faculty who participated in the National Endowment for the Humanities funded experimental education program, the Inner College in the early 1970s. This unique program allowed UConn students to take courses from other students or educators in a non-traditional academic setting and receive credit for teaching and learning. These recordings were made during the reunion celebration held on August 6th, 2022 at the Alumni Center on the Storrs campus. Thanks to Rhonda Kincaid, John Long, and the Inner College Reunion planning group for the invitation to participate on the day and to the following interviewees:
Featured Interviewees:
Ed Adelman
Reggie Beamon
Len Krimerman
Abby Sarita Belmont
Betsy Abrams
Elena Stone
Marian Vitali
Albert dArmand Sosa
John Long
This episode of d’Archive is hosted by archivist Kristin Eshelman in conversation with children’s author and illustrator Eliza Kinkz. Eliza spent time in the John P. McDonald Reading Room researching the James Marshall Papers as the 2022 James Marshall Fellow. This conversation features her experience as a Marshall Fellow and the inspiration she drew from […]
This episode of d’Archive features a conversation with Directing Curator Marshall Weber of Booklyn, an art dealership in Brooklyn, NY. We discuss the social justice forward perspective he has for academia and the art world as well as the company he works for, “Booklyn’s mission is to promote artists’ books as art and research material […]
This episode continues a conversation from Episode 43 with archivist Melissa Watterworth Batt about poet Charles Olson (1910-1970) and his collection which documents an intensive study into Herman Melville’s personal library and the marginalia found within it. Olson worked with Melville’ relatives as well as librarians, private collectors, and book dealers to attempt to track […]
This episode features a conversation with archivist Melissa Watterworth Batt about poet Charles Olson (1910-1970) and his collection which documents an intensive study into Herman Melville’s personal library and the marginalia found within it. Olson worked with Melville’ relatives as well as librarians, private collectors, and book dealers to attempt to track down the “lost […]
This episode of d’Archive features a discussion with the Head of Archives & Special Collections, Rebecca Parmer on a digital exhibition 25 for 25 which celebrates the 25th anniversary of the merging of UConn Library units: University Archives and Special Collections in 1995, as well as the construction of the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center […]
This episode of d’Archive was recorded in the Fall of 2019 and features a conversation with Victoria Johnson, a human rights intern at the Archives & Special Collections and former UConn Library student employee. Victoria explored the Calabretta Collection of 1960s memorabilia, concentrating on the audio material related to the G.I. anti-war protest movement and the music […]
This episode of d’Archive features an eclectic holiday mix of audio samples from the archives selected by archivist Kristin Eshelman. Having been a guest for the 2017 holiday episode #10 of the podcast, it was only natural to ask her back to start the holiday off right for a part II of sorts. Featured Tracks: […]
This episode of d’Archive was recorded in the Fall of 2019 and features a conversation with Adrianna Chestnut, a human rights intern at the Archives & Special Collections as well as a member of the student environmental activism group Fridays For Future. Adrianna explored the collections for material relating to her interests in the first […]
Season 4 of d’Archive kicks off with selections all semester from the Black Experience in the Art Collection, an archived series of lectures from a course taught under the same name from 1970-1994 at the University of Connecticut. This course was prompted by the Center for Black Studies in the late 1960s which encouraged other […]
This episode features a conversation with the repository manager for the Connecticut Digital Archive (CTDA), Mike Kemezis. Mike discusses the functions of the CTDA and issues of access and discovery of digital archives. The CTDA hosts digital collections from institutions across the state of Connecticut and is the primary access point for the UConn Archives […]
This onsite interview takes place in the Homer Babbidge Library’s Conservation Lab where we are led by UConn Library Conservator Natalie Granados on a tour. Natalie demonstrates the tools and machinery in the lab which she uses everyday to restore, preserve and house the fragile collections at both the UConn Archives and general Babbidge Collection. […]
This episode features a “best of the blog” commentary from UConn History Phd candidate and Archives student employee, Shaine Scarminach. Shaine has worked in the archives to unearth potential research topics and groupings of collections to make getting into the archives easier for students. His writing and research feature prominently on the Archives Blog and […]
This episode continues this months live broadcast of hobo themed content in conjunction with the UConn Archives exhibition There & Back Again: A Hobo’s Tale on view until February 28th, 2020. A family history was delivered to me this month, written under the moniker Hobo Hills, detailing a train hop from California to Kansas in […]
This episode of d’Archive features a conversation with Project Archivist for the Maurice Sendak Collection, Clara Nguyen, about the many facets of the collection and the man. The Sendak collection has received nothing but praise since its donation to UConn in 2018. Clara takes us on an audio tour of some of her favorite pieces […]
This episode features a conversation with three young scholars from the Young Scholars Senior Summit program at UConn during the summer of 2019. These young scholars came from across the country to pursue research in social justice issues relating to immigration, incarceration, and the environment and presented their platform to peers and advisors for critical […]
This episode of d’Archive highlights a digital humanities project developed at Greenhouse Studios as part of the UConn Humanities Institute’s Humility, Conviction and Public Life Project. I am joined by fellow team members from the Greenhouse Studios incubator located at the UConn Library, Wes Hamrick and Tom Lee for a discussion about the AR (Augmented […]
This episode includes interviews that were collected from UConn alumni and members of the New Left student organization, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) at a Woodstock 50th anniversary celebration this summer hosted by guest curator of Day-glo & Napalm, George Jacobi. These interviews were recorded on August 17th, 2019 with Larry Smyle and Jeffrey […]
This episode continues our discussion around the late 1960s and the ongoing reflections from 50 years ago to Woodstock, Vietnam and cultural change. I am joined by Phd candidate Danielle Dumaine from the UConn History Department to discuss her dissertation research on poet Diane di Prima’s diaries held at the Archives & Special Collections and […]
Guest Curator, George Jacobi and Chris Malis join me for a conversation about the UConn Archives exhibition Day-Glo & Napalm: UConn 1967-1971. As UConn alumni, and Woodstock audience members, George and Chris discuss the exhibition, their student days at UConn 50 years ago, the music, the attitudes, and the perspectives they hold about the times […]
This episode of d’Archive features field recordings from the UConn Archives open house event which took place April 24, 2019. The open house was titled In a Manner of Speaking and sought to demonstrate the critical perspectives which archival collections contain. Archivists were interviewed about the materials they curated for the public opening from Railroad […]
This episode features an overview of collection materials in the archives documenting the Black Student sit in of April 22, 1974 in the Wilbur Cross Library at UConn. This direct action came as a student response to several grievances regarding structural racism in higher education and locally in the Anthropology Department. In addition, the list […]
This episode features a conversation with visual artists Mary Banas and Breanne M. Trammell about their residency at Counterproof Press in the UConn School of Fine Arts. Mary and Breanne consulted the Alternative Press Collection at the UConn Archives during their residency in April of 2019 to workshop and design visual ephemera about social justice […]
This episode features a conversation with Wahib, a visiting student from Algeria through UConn’s Global Affairs SUSI program. Wahib hosts an online radio program called Algerian Black Pearl and is interested in modes of communication and political discourse. The advisor for the SUSI program, Jack Barry, joins to talk about the importance of international exchange […]
Author, Photojournalist and Associate Professor Scott Wallace at UConn’s School of Journalism, joins me for a conversation about his exhibition In the Crosshairs: Dispatches from Central America, 1983-1990, which was on display February 15 – March 15, 2019 in the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center at the UConn Storrs campus. This exhibition featured Scott’s photography, […]
This episode features a conversation with Amanda Douberley, Academic Liaison and Assistant Curator at the William Benton Museum of Art at UConn, about the role of the museum and its comparative mission to that of the archives. Having worked collaboratively to produce exhibitions and programming between the Benton and UConn Archives, Amanda’s perspective on outreach […]
This episode features a conversation with Thomas Lawrence Long, Associate Professor in Residence in the UConn School of Nursing and curator of the Dolan Collection of Nursing History. Tom provides insight to the history of LGBTQ AIDS activism during the 1980s and 90s where direct action by groups like ACT UP drove change in the […]
This episode features an overview and discussion of archival collections focusing on hoboes and train-hopping culture. The UConn Archives is known for its large railroad collections that document the legacy of the train, it’s mechanics and industrial infrastructure. However, a less documented railroad culture is that of the hobo who also occupies a historical place […]
Our third installment of the genre sessions features a conversation with Phd candidate Leslie Sabiston at the Department of Anthropology Columbia University, discussing Westerns and Indigenous representation. Stemming from the increasing mainstream visibility of Indigenous peoples through activism to decolonize and occupy, native roles in print, film and TV hold particular weight in portraying current […]
This episode features a discussion with Hartford activist, author, and public historian Steve Thornton of the Shoeleather History Project about people’s history and the meaningful impact that largely unrecorded events and individuals have left on the landscape. Thankfully, the archives contains Steve’s papers which document labor activism, anti-apartheid and Irish solidarity struggles as well as […]
This episode features a conversation with Tages and Emily Stinnett about their personal archives and how one decides what to keep and what to throw away. Personal archives, as opposed to those found in research collection archives, contain the sentimental artifacts that help shape our personal recollections of time and place. This discussion samples from […]
A conversation with Associate Professor of Sociology at UConn, Ruth Braunstein, on her research dealing with religious communities and political activism on the right and the left. Ruth’s work has been promoted by the UConn Humanities Institute’s Humility & Conviction in Public Life Project. Her work has utilized the Alternative Press Collections at the archives […]
A sample of the wide range of archives topics covered on this season of d’Archive. Season 2 is in the works, will air in the Fall of 2018, and sounds a little something like this: the dusty plains and gallows of Western genre fiction, big data and digital archives, the forensics labs of Conservation, War […]
This episode highlights the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on December 10, 1948. Featured in conversation is Dr. Glenn Mitoma, Assistant Professor of Human Rights Education at UConn’s Neag School of Ed. and Director of the Dodd Center, discussing the history and impact of this landmark document in […]
The New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad (New Haven Railroad) was the predominant railroad system in southern New England for almost 100 years. Today’s episode illustrates the storied history of boom and bust for this mainstay industry of the 19th and 20th centuries. On this episode, Graham is joined by colleague Laura Smith, Archivist of […]
This episode features science fiction recordings and a conversation with Jonathan Squires, McMaster University, English M.A. and science fiction enthusiast about audio collections held at the UConn Archives & Special Collections. Jonathan’s interest in critical science fiction and the explorations of our possible futures from the space race to post-scarcity to cyberpunk provides for an engaging […]
This episode of d’Archive features guest Nicholas Hurley, Research Services Assistant at the Archives & Special Collections and UConn History Department alumnus, in conversation about World War 2 collections at the archives and his oral history project on veterans from the axis and the allies. This engaging discussion gives budding historians a perspective on how […]
This episode of d’Archive features a discussion with Medieval Studies PhD candidate and Archives staff member Patrick Butler on medieval texts and readings from the Archives & Special Collections audio recordings collection. Patrick’s insight into the origins of contemporary fantasy novels like the Lord of The Rings helps us think critically about the appropriations and reinterpretations of […]
This episode of d’Archive features a kooky and eclectic curated playlist from Children’s Literature and Multimedia Archivist, Kristin Eshelman. Featured in conversation are selections from the Archives & Special Collections audio recordings of poetry readings, the sounds of the future, kids tunes and animal noises as well as the appropriate dosing of holiday blues to […]
This episode features a discussion with University of Connecticut Archivist Betsy Pittman who oversees all things UConn. Betsy’s collecting area straddles both the history of the university as well as the records management of Connecticut’s largest public university. In addition, the Archives & Special Collections preserves and collects materials about the history of the state […]
This episode features a combination of discussion and musical curation with Head of Digital Imaging and Conservation, Michael J. Bennett at UConn’s Homer Babbidge Library. Topics include the role of digitization and analog experience with archival collections and the technical equipment in use at the UConn Library; in addition, selections from the Samuel and Ann Charters Archives of Blues […]
On this episode of d’Archive, Matt Guariglia, UConn History PhD Candidate and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Journalist discusses the protections and restrictions on recorded documentation. Stemming from his academic research on the New York City Police Department and FOIA reporting, Matt talks about leaking, National Security Archive, Cointelpro and burning draft records. Featured Tracks: […]
This episode of d’Archive features a discussion about the U. Roberto (Robin) Romano Papers with guests Len Morris, director, educator and child advocate from Media Voices for Children and Brooke Foti-Gemmell, design technologist of UConn’s Greenhouse Studios. The Romano Papers at UConn’s Archives & Special Collections are an extensive collection of photography, research files, work prints and electronic […]
This episode of d’Archive features former UConn Archives & Special Collections Archivist and Former Connecticut State Librarian Richard Akeroyd in conversation about the formation of the Alternative Press Collection, the War in Vietnam and the role of documenting protest movements. Drawing on his experience of establishing the ephemera heavy Alt Press Collection at the UConn […]
Sampling some of the audio collections from the turbulent days of the late 1960s at the University of Connecticut. The American invasion of Vietnam and campus recruitment by petro-chemical companies matched by growing disparities between haves and have-nots and its reflection in a lack of students of color at UConn led to the beginning of […]
Part of the ongoing conversation in advocating for access to diverse ranges of information which helps support further research into critical topics in the 21st century. As discussed in this episode with Access Services Librarian Joel Atkinson of the Homer Babbidge Library at UConn’s Storrs campus, the library operates as a cornerstone in society and […]
Highlighting literary collections at the Archive & Special Collections with guest archivist Melissa Watterworth Batt. Focusing on the creation, collection and access to Black Experience in the Arts through spoken word poetry and performance. Tracklist: Jayne Cortez – Endangered Species List Blues John Coltrane – Equinox Gwendolyn Brooks – Golden Shovel Heroes Are Gangleaders – […]
Punk Rock in Connecticut! Discussion of the Joe Snow Punk Rock Collection at the Archives & Special Collections and punk youth culture featuring hardcore punk, vegan straight edge and oral history of the Anthrax Club during Connecticut’s early hardcore punk scene. Featured Tracks: Bad Brains – Attitude Fatal Vision – Klan Man End Product – Starve […]