Scraps of History: Exploring the Scrapbooks of the Providence Athenæum

Opening January 10, 2023

Held within the Providence Athenæum’s Archives Collection are three old scrapbooks – fascinating volumes referenced by staff and researchers for decades, but whose contents had never been formally described or recorded.

In the fall of 2022, a library school student from the University of Rhode Island diligently scanned and drafted descriptive content for all 430 pages contained in these scrapbooks. This work paves the way for better preservation and accessibility of this unique collection.

The culmination of this student project is Scraps of History, an exhibit highlighting a selection of materials from the three scrapbooks. The pages on view date between 1831-1961 and focus on interesting aspects of the Athenæum’s history and operations.

Student Curator: Acadia Stevens, URI GSLIS ‘22
Supervising Librarian: Stephanie Ovoian, Head of Research & Library Services