By Ryan Flahive

On any given Sunday, these pages of the Prescott Courier are full of yarns about 'the good ol' days' of Yavapai County. Ranching reminiscences, school memoirs, church memories, mining histories and other topics pertaining to the Prescott area pervade our Sunday paper with a column we like to call 'Days Past'. But where do these histories come from? Personal memories? Oral tales?

Books we've read? All of these are correct answers to the question, but one word can describe where all history comes from: Archives. In celebration of Arizona Archives Month, this column will be devoted to clearing up a question that I am asked often enough: what are Archives? 

On September 22, 2005 Governor Janet Napolitano declared, "Whereas, the purpose of Archives and Repositories in the State of Arizona is to preserve the State's history for present and future generations; and whereas, Archives collect personal papers, manuscripts, journals, government documents, maps, electronic media, oral recordings, film, newspapers, and other materials bearing all the history of Arizona; and whereas, Archives have a responsibility to provide the public with access to their records; and whereas, a goal of Archives is to increase public awareness of the valuable role they play in preserving and enhancing knowledge of our cultural, intellectual, social, and governmental heritage." This column will be devoted to the final line: "increase public awareness of the valuable role they play." The role of Archives is misinterpreted, understated, and misunderstood in most public circles. So what are Archives and why are they important? 

Archives are not just 'old stuff' that collects dust in a museum or basement. Archives are your family photographs; your vital documents, such as marriage, birth, and death certificates. Archives are your family histories, your tax records, your water and heating bills, your court records, your report cards, and your library records. Archives are your history. In short, Archives are all of the records and documentation written, received, and gathered by an individual or organization in the conduct of the affairs of life, which contain information of enduring value and usefulness. The account legers of Hotel St. Michael, Bashford and Burmister Company, and Goldwater Mercantile allow us a glimpse of the entrepreneurial and economic history of Prescott. The letters home from Ernest A. Love allow us to gaze into the life of a World War I fighter pilot in France. Sharlot M. Hall's poetry notebooks reveal her zest for syntax and her love for words. Materials such as maps and blueprints of the Hassayampa Mining District and Yarnell Hill Road plans have added value because of their physical form. And some are simply kept because of their informational content, such as the back issues of the Arizona Daily Miner and Daily Courier. Archives contain information of enduring value and usefulness-but to whom? 

The primary group using Archives is the seasoned academic historian. Professional historians rely upon primary sources found in Archives for the basis of their writings. Genealogists, or family historians, use cemetery records, newspapers, census reports, and a variety of other materials to locate past family members or fill a gap in their ancestry. Journalists use past records to form background and basis for their stories of the now. Lawyers use documents such as affidavits, contracts, and court dockets to help prove cases for their client base. Engineers use maps to prove road easement or to settle property disputes. These direct users channel archival information to indirect users in the wider community in the form of historical books, textbooks for schools, newspapers, films and documentaries, family trees, television programs, and Internet resources. As you can see, either directly or indirectly, we all use Archives. 

Archives do not become Archives until they have fulfilled the purpose for which they were created. This archival phenomenon is called the second life of records. Let me explain by example: the minutes of the Prescott Chamber of Commerce dated October 6, 1964 served a purpose; they had intent. Among the issues discussed at that meeting were plans for a junior college to accommodate for the growth of Yavapai County. Also discussed were the effects of such an institution upon newly formed Prescott College. The purpose of creating the minutes (its first life) was to make record of the meeting to be referenced by the then current Chamber and to make them accountable for their actions. Historically speaking, what is the enduring value and usefulness of this record in its second life as Archives? As a direct result of the discussion in the minutes of the Chamber, Yavapai College was started in 1966, and looking back at the history of Prescott College, we note that it went bankrupt in 1975. The minutes offer us a look at the historical origins of one of the best junior colleges in Arizona, and the origins of economic troubles at Prescott College, culminating in the closing of the campus in 1975. This is the life of records: one of accountability and one of historical context. 

Why should you care about the preservation of Archives? This is the big question. The first part of the answer lies in humanism. History, literature, legacy and heritage are only part of the humanist ideals described within the leaves of archival materials. Archives form the foundation for which we build our communities, our families, our churches, our schools and our current issues. Have you ever wondered how water rights were granted? It's in the Archives. Your sense of community, the identity of your neighborhood is grounded in archival materials. Why did 'Nob Hill' become 'Snob Hill' to some folks? Where did the name for 'Glassford Hill' come from? Why do we have a street named after a 16th century Spanish explorer? Are there really tunnels under Whiskey Row? It's in the Archives. Archives are also important for intensely personal reasons. Looking for a grandfather who fought with Teddy Roosevelt and Buckey O'Neill on San Juan Hill or trying to locate a long-lost relative you have never met. It's all in Archives. As you can see, Archives are not simply 'old' papers that gather dust in a museum, but they are your history. 

In celebration of Arizona History Month, the Sharlot Hall Museum Library and Archives would like to invite you to an Open House on Friday, October 28th at 5 p.m. Here you will be able to see your Archives. You will be able to see genealogy materials, mining records, maps, business legers, and photographs; listen to oral histories, watch vintage film footage, examine archeological and Native American materials, and find out why Archives are your history. You will have a chance to speak with knowledgeable museum staff, volunteers, and experts on many topics such as historic preservation, historical research, and the topic of this column-why Archives are important. You will have a chance to take a behind-the-scene tour of your Archives and see where the treasures of local history lie. I am simply a steward, a keeper of your materials. I work for you and your interests. In closing, I would like again to invite you to support the preservation and public use of the vast world of Archives and historical research by attending our Open House. 

(Ryan Flahive is the Archivist at the Sharlot Hall Museum.) 


Sharlot Hall Museum Photograph Call Number:(Sieber ledger) Reuse only by permission.
This business ledger, once owned by Arizona Indian scout Al Sieber, describes common business practices of the 19th century.