Get to Know Northwestern’s Archives
Posted on Nov. 12, 2009
Did you know that a record of the rich history of Northwestern Health Sciences University is housed right on campus? Open the door to the Greenawalt Library’s archives and delve into the papers of John Wolfe, DC, Northwestern’s founder, or read the speeches that J. Lamoine De Rusha, DC, a former professor, gave all over the world. Take a gander at the 1920’s quack diagnostic instrument used to cure everything from cancer to syphilis and carefully turn the pages of the oldest book in the archives, written by Charles Bell, who was the first to diagnose Bell’s Palsy, a temporary paralysis of the facial muscles.
The archives houses records, artifacts, and the history of the institution. It also preserves the history of the chiropractic, acupuncture and Oriental medicine professions. “We mainly have books in the archive,” sys Della Shupe, MA, director of library services, “but we also have photographs, video tapes, old papers, speeches, publications and historical equipment. We even try to keep a copy of all books published by Northwestern’s faculty members.”
Northwestern’s archives are currently located in a back room of the Greenawalt Library behind the information desk. Users need only request a specific item and they are allowed to keep it within the library as long as it is needed.
“The current placement of the archives is really handy,” says Corinne Florin, MLIS, Northwestern’s archivist. “Now librarians can retrieve archived items for students immediately upon request. The archives used to be in a room in between the pool and the furnace. Needless to say, that was not only inconvenient but also damaging to the items in the archives.”
“Sadly, many students do not even know about the archives,” says Florin. “I created a marketing brochure for the archives awhile back. I had a good response to that but I would like to print something new to get the word out again. I would even like to create a display to promote the artifacts that the archives holds.”
“It is a great resource for the students who are working on history papers about the university or their professions,” says Shupe. “My hope is that more people will begin to understand its value.”
Photo top: Standing in the archives, shown left to right are Corrine Florin, MLIS, Northwestern’s archivist, and Della Schupe, MA, director of library services who both maintain and promote the archives. Photo bottom: The archives are located in a back room of the Greenawalt Library behind the information desk.