Summer 2017 Volume 19, Issue 2

Matheson History Museum Newsletter

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Meet Our Summer Intern…….2

Call for Artifacts………………….2

2017 Floridiana Show ..............3

Membership Form…..…………..4

Peggy Macdonald, Ph.D.—Exec. Dir.

Board of Directors

Anita Spring, Ph.D. — President

Lawrence D. Reynolds — Pres.-Elect

Larry Lokken — Treasurer

Pamela Milton Robb, P.A. — Secretary

Mae Clark

Charles Cobb, Ph.D.

Fletcher Crowe, Ph.D.

Caleb King, D.D.S., M.Sc.D.

Ronnie Lovler

Louise Newman, Ph.D.

Dulce Román

Jon Sensbach, Ph.D.

Greg Young

Emeritus Board Members

Donald Caton, M.D.

Mary Ann H. Cofrin

Rebecca Nagy, Ph.D.

Ann Smith, R.N.

Meet Our New Librarian & Archivist! By Joanna Grey Talbot Marketing Director

In April the Matheson was thrilled to welcome Bobby Parker as the museum’s new Librarian & Archivist. Along with many other projects and responsibilities, Bobby will be overseeing the move of the library and archives into the new building. Continue reading to find out more about him! What are your responsibilities as Librarian & Archivist? I am responsible for the care, organization, promotion and accessibility of the physical collection of the Library and Archives; assisting researchers and guiding them in their research; and assisting with the Museum, Matheson House, and Tison Tool Barn. The librarian and archivist position is a fascinating and multi-faceted role! What is your professional background? I have worked in libraries for over 20 years, beginning in 1991 - 1992 as a graduate assistant at the Photographic Archives at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama. In 1993, I began working in Circulation at the Main Library at the University of South Alabama. After several years, I moved to the Biomedical Library, and shortly became the Circulation Supervisor. In 2000, wanting to be closer to family, I moved to Gainesville and started at the University of Florida Marston Science Library. In 2002, I took a position in the Preservation Department, where I stayed until 2012. What is your educational background? My undergraduate degree is in History, with an emphasis on Military History. In 2012, I graduated from the Sunshine State Library Leadership Institute, a program sponsored by the Florida Division of Library and Information Services. Of all the projects you are currently working on, which one do you find most fascinating? Currently, I am conducting research with our map collection, searching for a map of Alachua County containing a town that no longer exists. I find it fascinating that a town can vanish, and the only memory left behind is a mark on a map from the past. But that past plays an important role in individuals’ history; and we must remain conscious and respectful of that. Libraries, archives and museums keep that history alive! What’s a unique fact about you? Libraries and Librarians have always played an important role in my life and shaped my lifelong love of reading and learning. From my earliest library memories at the Hancock County Library (Miss Mildred Means) on Coleman Avenue in Waveland, Mississippi, to the St. Stanislaus College Library (Mrs. Virginia Gex) on the beach in Bay St. Louis, MS, to the Universities: South Alabama (Miss Anne Romano), and Florida (Mrs. Cathy Martyniak), Alachua County Public Libraries, and now here at the Matheson Library and Archives. I have always felt at home in libraries and surrounded by books! What are you currently reading? The Mechanical Horse; How the Bicycle Reshaped American Life by Margaret Guroff and Florida's Eden by John B. Pickard.

Bobby Parker

2

East Florida Seminary Football

Team—1902

Image courtesy of the State Library

& Archives of Florida

CALL FOR ARTIFACTS

We are putting out a call for artifact donations related to Lincoln High School,

Gainesville High School from the 1950s to the early 1970s in preparation for our

fall exhibit, and local sports history.

Possible items related to Lincoln High School and Gainesville High School are:

Photographs

Yearbooks

Ticket stubs

Programs

Newspaper clippings

Report cards

Yearbooks from all Alachua County Schools, both public and private and all

years, are also welcome.

The local sports history project is supported by the Rick and Barbara Anderson

Fellowship. We are specifically looking for objects, photographs, and documents

related to the following:

East Florida Seminary (precursor to the University of Florida)

Gainesville G-Men baseball team

Football teams at defunct Alachua County high schools

Interested in donating? Please contact Peggy Macdonald at 352-378-2280 or

executivedirector@mathesonmuseum.org.

MEET OUR SUMMER INTERN, SUJAYA!

Sujaya Rajguru is interning with the Matheson for Summer A session. We are so

excited to have her!

What school do you attend? What is your major?

I attend the University of Florida and I am a 3rd year History major on the pre-law

track.

Why did you choose the Matheson for your internship?

I chose the Matheson for my internship because I wanted to experience studying

history outside of the books. This internship has allowed me to do hands

on research with archival material which has been incredible.

What project are you working during your time at the Matheson?

I have been conducting research for the upcoming exhibition on school

desegregation in Gainesville and Alachua County. I have primarily been reading

and taking notes on the Alachua County School Board Minutes from 1964-1971. I

am also working on an article about Gator Band history.

What’s a unique fact about you?

I am a proud member of the University of Florida Gator Band and am one of the Piccolo Section Leaders.

What are you currently reading?

I am currently reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen in part to prepare for my research in Cambridge later this

summer as well as for my own enjoyment. I am also about to start the new Harry Potter book.

Sujaya Rajguru and General Gaines

3

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