*Post written by Mikayla Hanks, student assistant of the University Archives and Special Collections.
Student assistant, Mikayla Hanks, creating the “Cool Old Stuff” sign for the archives department, 2018.
Have you ever seen a real life copy of the Titanic Newspaper? Did you know that Archie has not always looked the way he does today? My name is Mikayla Hanks and I am a student worker in the University Archives and Special Collection (UASC). I have been a student worker in the Archives department for two years. During my time in the archives, my mind has been opened to numerous different parts of history that I was not aware of before. The Titanic Newspaper and Archie are just a glimpse into what I have experienced and learned in my time here. Being able to see a copy of the Titanic Newspaper after it sunk, in real life, is one astonishing thing to experience. I highly recommend if you want to see an unbelievable piece of history, stop into the archives and witness it for yourself.
Did you know that Archie has not always looked the way he does today? There have been many different Archie’s in the past. Each one being much different from the one before. His beak, his uniform, and even his muscles have changed. The UASC has some of the past Archie’s outfits and often puts them on display. So many different Archies at USI, who knew?
One of my favorite experiences with the Archives department was being able to help with the displays and decorations for Arch Madness (Arch Madness is like March Madness, but with archive materials). During the promotion, I was able to use my art background and make displays that had images of each archive material that was on the bracket racing to the number one spot. Coming in to work, I was excited to see what archives won that day and what new pieces I was going to be able to recreate. One of my favorite pieces to recreate was the 1963 “Ultimate Frontier” painting from the Stelle Community Collection, which is located in the Communal room of the Archives. My experience working in the Archives changes each time I go in those doors, I learn something different, or I add knowledge to something I already knew. The USI Archives Department is full of countless wonders and treasures you never know what you will find or what is waiting to be explored.
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