Newsletter of
The Maryland State Archives
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Newsletter of The Maryland State Archives |
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| Vol. 19 No. 12 |
mdsa.net |
December 15, 2005 |
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 Hall of Records Commission MeetingThe Hall of Records Commission met at the Archives on November 22. Judge Robert M. Bell opened the meeting by discussing the rededication ceremony of the Archives building in June. He also noted a skit performed by administrative judges at a meeting of the State Bar Association. They reenacted the Merryman case heard by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1861. The Archives research staff provided much of the material for development of the skit, and Judge Bell played the part of Judge Taney. Dr. Edward C. Papenfuse showed a photograph of the portrait of Governor and Mrs. Marvin Mandel, unveiled at Government House on September 22. The artist begun the painting in 1975, but did not complete it until 1993. It is the only portrait in the state art collection that shows both the governor and his wife. Recently placed in Special Collections was a newspaper, The Mail; or Claypoole's Daily Advertiser, Philadelphia, October 2, 1792. On p. 3 appeared a letter from Thomas Brown, a free African-American, offering himself as a candidate for Delegate for the Town of Baltimore. He never actually carried out his plans. Ed presented Judge Bell with a framed copy of the page containing the letter. The Friends of the Archives have donated an 18th century copy of a portrait that is thought to be Leonard Calvert. The frame appears to date from the 17th century. The gift to the Friends from the Claggett family included funds for acquisition of the portrait from Tudor Hall and for restoration so it can be properly displayed in the State House. A manuscript dealer is advertising for sale an account book of Dr. Dennis Claude (c. 1782-1863), a physician from Annapolis who held several public offices including mayor of Annapolis, state delegate, state senator, State Treasurer, and Comptroller of the Treasury. The account book documents his medical practice, and itemizes the names and occupations of his patients. The Archives will acquire this record because it provides supplemental research material for a prominent public official. Moneys will come from the Radoff Fund with matching funds from the Friends of the Archives. On September 27 Nassir Rezvan accepted a Minority Business Enterprise Gold Achievement Award for the Archives which was one of the top ten state agencies in the procurement of contracts with minority businesses. Jenn Cruickshank displayed and described the presentation documenting the conservation work with several early Kent County records. Funds for the conservation came from the Kitty Knight Questers. Members were given a tour of the Archives on October 18 and were shown the final results of the preservation work. Ed highlighted several additions to Special Collections. William R. Nuttle, a surveyor of lands in Kent, Queen Anne's, Cecil, and Caroline counties, donated his files to the Kent County Circuit Court. The Archives has agreed to joint custody and is making the plats and survey materials available online through plats.net. Judge James F. Schneider is depositing with the Archives his research notes on the Baltimore City court system, bar library, and bar association. The donation of a lithographers stone by Harold James Kie sparked interest in a relatively mundane topic of state finances. The stone was used for the production of bearer bond certificates issued by the state in the early 20th century to finance construction and remodeling of several public buildings. Former Senator Charles McC. Mathias has accumulated a large collection of old law books, including a book on probate and Bacon's Laws of Maryland, both signed by Governor Thomas Johnson. Some parts of his collection are being given to the Archives. Before prohibition Maryland rye whiskey was well known nationally as well as locally. James Bready has given the Archives his collection of about 200 bottles, many with intact labels, and related materials. Over the past several months Christine Alvey has been systemically identifying and saving electronic publications of Maryland government agencies and making them available through the government publications portion of the Archives web site. So far the quantity of e-publications numbers over 4,100. Emily Squires briefly outlined the projects pursued through the summer internship program, many supported by other institutions. Ed noted the extensive work done by Nancy Bramucci for a Teaching American History in Maryland web site. Tim Baker discussed a capital project proposal to consolidate the records stored in the three off site warehouses into one central facility, and to expand the Papenfuse Building. Ed also mentioned the need to broaden the interpretation of the State House beyond the 18th century. The State of Maryland was one of the original subscribers to Audubon's Birds of America portfolio editions, now in possession of the State Law Library. The Library, under Director Stephen P. Anderson, is having restoration done with the prints and will store them in a rare books room now under construction. In the meantime the prints are being stored at the Archives which has placed the Baltimore Oriole portfolio on display in the Search Room. The meeting concluded with a farewell to Kathy Beard who is retiring, and a welcome to Leslie Frazer, her replacement. Goodbye Kathy - Hello Holidays 
Archives staff and guests gathered in the search room on Monday,
December 12 for two events: a retirement luncheon for Kathy
Beard, followed by a holiday desserts party. Kathy, who has been with the Archives for eight years as administrative assistant to Ed Papenfuse, is retiring after 30 years of state service. The luncheon was attended by many members of her family, including her husband, Steve, and their two sons, Bradley and Colin. Also present were former colleagues from the Department of Transportation and the Baltimore Port Authority. Archives’ staff presented Kathy with a number of goodbye gifts including a silver Tiffany cross designed by Paloma Picasso and framed photographs of the 
Following the luncheon, staff and guests were invited to stay for the annual staff holiday party which featured an wonderful array of desserts and fruit provided by members of staff. Everyone mingled and relaxed to holiday music while enjoying way too many calories. The highlight of the party was the raffle for gifts collected over the year by Barbara Schisler from a variety of mysterious sources. The drawing was hilariously emceed by Deputy State Archivist Tim Baker. All these events were planned and executed by Emily Oland Squires and Jen Hafner, with help from many others on staff. They did a great job and thanks to them and everyone who pitched in. The day was a mixture of sadness and fun: a perfect send-off for Kathy whose terrific skills, combined with her warmth and humor, will be sorely missed by us all, and a joyous beginning to the holiday season. |
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THE ARCHIVISTS' BULLDOG Founded 1987 |
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Edward C. Papenfuse, State Archivist Patricia V. Melville, Editor Mimi Calver, Assistant Editor Lynne MacAdam, Web Editor
The Maryland State Archives is an independent agency in the Office of the Governor and is advised by the Hall of Records Commission. The Chairman of the Hall of Records Commission is the Honorable Robert M. Bell, Chief Judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals. The Archivists' Bulldog is issued monthly to publicize records collections, finding aids, and other activities of the Archives and its staff. The Editor welcomes editorial comments and contributions from the public. The Archives maintains a web site on the Internet at http://mdsa.net |
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