Archives Month is an annual, month-long observance of the agencies and people responsible for maintaining and making available the archival and historical records of our nation, state, communities, and people. Archives serve as the memory of our nation, and by celebrating, we recognize and give legitimacy to the enduring value of American records and America’s archives.
There are several ways to celebrate this month and learn more about the work of archives. The first is through social media. On October 2, 2019, archivists around the country took to Twitter to respond to questions tweeted with the hashtag #AskAnArchivist. From our Twitter account we provided some insight into dealing with patient records. We also encourage you to check out our Instagram account where we'll be highlighting treasures from the Medical Center Archives collection all month long.
The Society of North Carolina Archivists is celebrating the theme of “Activism and Social Justice.” Many archival organizations around the state are sharing stories and highlighting collections that highlight this topic.
In conjunction to this theme, we would like to draw your attention to a story of segregation and discrimination in the Bell Building and how one person fought against it. Dr. Edward C. Halperin writes “A solitary act in the Bell Building: Striking a blow for racial desegregation at a Southern medical school.”
Finally join us at our annual Halloween Event. It is a low-key event that highlights spooky, fun, and interesting stories from the history of Duke Health. Event details may be found here.