SC SHRAB 2008 ARCHIVES AWARDS
The SC State Historical Records
Advisory Board (SC SHRAB) recognizes significant contributions to preserving
and increasing the appreciation and/or use of South Carolina's documentary
heritage through an
awards program.
The SC SHRAB’s 2008 Governor’s Archives Award and the Award of Merit were
presented on April 26, 2008, at the annual meeting of the
University South Caroliniana Society at the University of South Carolina's
Capstone House.
A SC SHRAB committee selected the following for 2008 awards:
Constance B. Schulz, Ph. D
For Her Dedication and Contributions to Archival Education & South Carolina’s
History
Nomination: “For 23 years, Dr. Connie Schulz has been the foremost educator of
archivists and museum professionals in the state of South Carolina. A rough
estimate of the number of archivists and museum professionals that have enjoyed
her teaching and mentorship would likely encompass at least 60% of the currently
active professionals in the state. Through her teaching of the basic archival
course, history research methods courses, supervision of archival and museum
internships, and personal mentoring of her students, she has had a lasting
impact on the two professions. No one approaches her level of influence in these
areas in the state. Her teaching alone would justify her receiving the Governors
Award, but she had added her personal touch to her teaching by being a superb
mentor to her students. These include providing numerous dinners for her
students every year, personally taking (via use of a University van or her own
personal vehicle) students to annual meetings of the Society of American
Archivists (SAA), and directing their research in South Carolina-related history
topics. She has also encouraged (and led by example) her current and former
students to participate in the South Carolina Archival Association, SAA, and
other professional organizations.
As Director or Co-Director of the University of South Carolina’s Public History
Program for 23 years, she has been instrumental in archival and museum education
in many different ways. She collaborated with the USC School of Library and
Information Science in building and strengthening the Joint MA/MLIS Program in
archival education, a program that has produced well over 250 archivists,
special collections librarians, records managers, museum curators, and other
professionals who now have careers throughout the US.
One would never describe Connie’s work as an educator as “routine performance of
the job.” She is very much a hands-on educator and mentor, caring deeply about
the lives and work of her students, not only while they are students, but also
keeping up with their careers long after they have graduated. An excellent
example of her dedication is the bi-annual 6-week Summer field school in
archives and museums that she holds every year in England. This program
regularly takes about 10 students to England, where they study archival and
museum practices from a European perspective. These students regularly report on
the tremendous learning they enjoyed as a result of this program (see some of
the attached letters from these former students).
In addition to her educational work, Dr. Schulz is the author and developer of
The History of South Carolina Slide Collection, and The American History
Videodisc, A South Carolina Album, 1936-1948. Both of these are used extensively
by schools, libraries, and researchers in South Carolina and throughout the
United States. And she has served as co-editor of the Henry Laurens Papers,
published by the University of South Carolina. Dr. Schulz has also received
almost $2 million in grand funding for SC-related history projects for
SC-related history projects, as described on her vitae at:
http://www.cas.sc.edu/hist/Faculty/schulz_cv.html. The vitae also
provides details on her extensive research and writing in South Carolina history
and American history.”
(above) Dr. Rodger E. Stroup, Director, SC Department of Archives and History, presenting the Governor's Archives Award to Constance B. Schulz, Ph.D.
Charleston Commissioners of Public Works and Associates
For increasing the visibility of and appreciation for the City of Charleston’s
history
Nomination: “In recognition of the many contributions and achievements made by
the associates of the Charleston Commissioners of Public Works (CCPW) in
increasing visibility and appreciation of our documentary heritage and that of
our city and state…
2005: Promising ideas, approaches, and innovations—What began as an idea to
centrally locate and store 19th and 20th Century photographs of the Commission
has evolved into a full-blown electronic image gallery, housing in excess of
3,500 images chronicling the history of water in Charleston from its earliest
beginnings of shallow wells, cisterns, and Artesian wells, to a modern-day
public water system. With the support of Executive Management, three staffers,
in between regular job duties, diligently began work on what seemed to be an
insurmountable task of cataloging and scanning still photographs and documents
deemed to be of historical significance and making them available on web pages.
By means of an electronic catalog, associates now have full access to thumbnail
and full-size images for reports, general viewing, and educational purposes. The
new website additionally contains a page devoted to document conservation and
preservation. Paper documents can now be removed from general use and properly
stored according to archival standards. Images are currently available on [the
CCPW] intranet; however, future plans are being considered to open the
collections to the public for research and reference on [the CCPW] internet
site.
The Image Gallery has surpassed our wildest expectations and has spurred
interest in history and document conservation throughout the organization.
Associate mindset has changed regarding ownerships and preservation of
documents. We are now realizing the benefits with associates who once claimed
ownership to documents now voluntarily forwarding them for inclusion and
preservation.
2006: Communicating the past and increasing our visibility—A step toward
communicating our history to the public was brought to fruition with a redesign
of our public conference room. What was once a suitable, but albeit plain, room,
has now become a history show-stopper. With the financial support and blessing
of Executive Management, a small group of associates volunteered to take on the
project and began brainstorming various ideas to make history popular. Site visits
were made to the Charleston Museum and The Citadel Archives to see just how “The
Pros” do it! Associates gave freely of their time and talents to create and
erect beautiful wall exhibits depicting the history of water and wastewater,
showcasing “The Search for a Suitable Supply, 1668-1916,” “The Birth of a Modern
Water Supply System, 1917-1955,” “The Regulatory Revolution, 1955-present,” and
“The Board.” The information and photographs from the displays are further
communicated on our internet website.
2007-Present: History in the news—History was further communicated throughout
the organization with the resurrection of our former employee “Pipeline”
newsletter. Digging up our past is now a regular feature. The column has been
well-received and provides a glimpse back in time… Did you know the water
reservoir at 14 George Street (original headquarters for the Commission of
Public Works and now occupied by Spoleto USA) was once a public swimming pool,
filled with Artesian water? You may also be surprised to learn in 1940, as a
result of war conditions, water company engineers were deputized by the Governor
as “State Constables” to protect Charleston’s water supply!
Service above and beyond the call of duty—It is [a] privilege to recognize the
valuable voluntary work performed by [CCPW and] associates. In conjunction with
the Mayor’s Walled City Task Force, skilled crews from our Wastewater Collection
Department were among the many to participate in uncovering this piece of
Charleston history. Of their participation, in this and other events of this
kind, we are extremely proud!”
CCPW Public Access Website:
http://www.charlestoncpw.com/water_history.htm
(above) Roy H. Tryon, SC SHRAB Chairman, presenting the Award of Merit to Theresa Williams of the CCPW
Portrait photos credit: Nancy Washington, Thomas Cooper Library, USC.