Lakehead Historical Society's first annual "Archive Crawl" a success

 

The stigma generally attached to the average student of history is that there are limited opportunities following graduation. Many students believe that their majors leave them with little choice other than teaching or writing about historical topics.

 

This could not be further from the truth. 

 

Such myths were a prime motivation of the recently re-established Lakehead University Historical Society (LUHS) in organising its first annual "Archive Crawl" Saturday, November 10. History majors and minors, as well as a few non-history participants, gained behind-the-scenes insight into the many opportunities offered after graduation at several archive locations throughout the city.

 

The group visited the Thunder Bay City Archives, the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, and the Thunder Bay Museum during off hours. They toured each location with representatives of all three, seeing things not always open to the public. Not only was this a great opportunity to feed their inner history-geek, but they were able to enhance their awareness of existing research for assignments, as well as exciting employment options.

 

At the Thunder Bay City Archives, Archivist Matt Szybalski discussed the different avenues that students could take after graduation, imparting valuable information such as various post-graduate opportunities. 

 

The LUHS hopes to, according to President Kyle Duckworth, draw attention to the many research bases off-campus and the plethora of career and post-graduate study prospects, and also raise awareness among the greater student body, especially history majors and minors, that the Historical Society is back and here to stay.

 

"The Archive Crawl was intended to act as a gateway for History majors to see the different types of jobs that are available to them other than teaching. The archives and museums were more than willing to show us around and allow us to come back and see their collection for [future] research," said Duckworth.

 

The first annual "Archive Crawl" was a huge success. It drew more attention than expected and all participants learned a great deal. Anthropology major Amy Szybalski said "It was a fantastic event that really showcased the historical richness that our city has to offer, but it also gave students an opportunity to really see what is out there and available to them in Thunder Bay as researchers." 

 

Keep your eyes and ears peeled, so to speak, for information detailing the next event, a historically-themed movie night to be held at the end of the month.