MAA 1998 Annual Meeting Summary

In 1998 MAA celebrated it's fortieth anniversary. The annual meeting was held on June 15-16 in Kalamazoo, at Western Michigan University's Fetzer Center. The Western Michigan University Archives and Regional History Collections, along with the Michigan Humanities Council, Kalamazoo County, Historical Society, and Hollinger Corporation, helped sponsor the meeting's events. The contact person for this meeting was Sharon Carlson, Archives and Regional History Collections, Western Michigan University.

The MAA Annual Meeting once again proved to be a successful affair, as many members and non-members alike visited Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. Beautiful weather, great surroundings, and, of course, an excellent program made this year’s meeting a treasure for all who attended. The meeting recognized the fact that MAA has been in existence since 1958 by serving a President’s Dinner on June 16, where several former MAA presidents were recognized for their commitment to the archival profession in Michigan. An exhibit, created by Margaret Raucher and Cynthia-Read Miller, provided an exceptional history and chronology of the organization, its founders, and important events. And, to top it all off, a piece of the "Happy 40th, MAA" birthday cake put a smile on everyone’s face.

The topics of this year’s sessions ranged from electronic records in archives to corporate art in archives and under-resourced archives to unsung heroes. Twenty-six presenters at nine sessions and a workshop gave proof that many were involved in making this a worthwhile two-days of learning. Michigan historian and author Larry Massie provided an interesting after-dinner presentation on the subject of collectable chinaware sold in Michigan lakefront towns during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Local arrangements organized by Sharon Carlson and her crew included three delicious meals, several area tours of libraries and museums, and an overall program that was flawless. Sharon had the thoughtful insight to have attendees complete a questionnaire on the quality of the program and all services provided. Many took advantage of this form to offer words of praise and criticism, both of which will be helpful when planning future conferences.

Meeting Program