SCAVENGER HUNT
Our class was tasked with discovering our research resources on and nearby our campuses. At Keene State College we have the Mason Library, Mason Library Archives, and Cheshire Historical society, on campus. We also have access to Keene Public Library. It is a 20-minute walk from campus to get there.
Every Keene State College student has access to online databases and inter-library loans for both books/media and research journals. The inter-library loan requires filling out a simple online form, and there is no cover charge. The reference library works by appointment. Keene State College student Jeniffer Afualo-Robinson and I were unable to contact the reference librarian on our initial search. The front desk-help recommended us to connect with the research and writing help-desk’s student workers. They are available Sunday through Thursday.
We were also connected to Mason Library’s Archivist, Rodney Obien (Figure 1.). The Mason Library’s Archive are open by scheduled appointment. Obien told us that the archives had a focus on social justice of specifically Malaysian Natives, and there was nothing on Keene, New Hampshire’s local native history.
Obien did connect us with the New Hampshire State archivist Brian Burford. Burford offered us some valuable insight on native land-transfer and directed us to a specific writing available in the State Archives called “Historical Indian-Colonial Relations of New Hampshire.” Which he Burford has offered to share with us.
The last pieces of advice Obien left us with were archives etiquette and a lead on possible research into Quebec’s Native Archives and possibly Britain’s Archives for deeds, papers, etc.. Obien mention that there is a small amount of research on Natives to be done at the Chesire Historical Society. At some point with in the next week I will be making a trip to the Historical Society to ask what there is and how the staff there could help in our search.
The call number in the Mason Library for Abenaki related texts is E99. I checked out a book by Coin G. Calloway called “Dawnland Encounters” (Figures 2 and 3.) that attempts to describe how the interactions of the Natives and Colonials actually went in New England. The text is a bit dated, so maps and information may not be accurate, but it has helped immerse me into the conversation that surrounds the Native’s story in New England.
[New Hampshire State Archives Website: http://sos.nh.gov/Arch_Rec_Mgmt.aspx]
Posted On: September 26, 2018