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Document #27
to the July 2002 meeting of the ARRL Board
Historical Committee activity slowed a bit during the first half of 2002 - but the exciting news is that we've made some good progress in establishing an area for document storage and inventory work.
Inventory and preservation
As noted in Mr. Sumner's report, construction of an area for document storage and ongoing inventory activities has begun on the second floor in Newington. This has been made possible by a significant donation from Barry and Judith Spencer Merrill, W5GN and KA5PQD ( http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2002/01/30/1/ ), and the Board's authorization in January to utilize up to $25,000 from the Preservation of Historical Artifacts fund.
A large percentage of the historical material currently stored in the 3rd floor attic will be moved to new cabinets on the 2nd floor. Jim Maxwell has made a lot of progress in identifying the general contents of the file cabinets - and spent much of the day on July 17th with Charles Griffin, W1GYR, in that effort. Some of the notes indicate correspondence from Hiram Percy Maxim dating back to 1913 was among the papers discovered.
The new area will also be used as a work area to inventory and store the documents from the 3rd floor, along with other historical artifacts.
Donations
Several donations of historical artifacts were received during the past six months - including some unbuilt Heathkit radios, antique keys, plus some equipment manuals and books.
Contact with other organizations
In March, Steve Mansfield and I met with two people from the Trinity College (Hartford). They are involved in running the graduate studies program in American Studies at Trinity - with specialization in museums and archives. After a tour of Newington and a peak at some of our historical items they expressed considerable interest and optimism that this Fall they might have one or more interns who would be able to work with us in setting up and conducting the full inventory of historical artifacts.
We also had a recent communication with the Executive Director of the Connecticut Historical Society - they are putting together a long-term exhibition program for their future Connecticut History Center and initial ideas include a gallery of "Ingenious Products and Ideas." It appears we may have an opportunity to collaborate on a section about Connecticut and the history of technology.
Other
No recent progress has been made on the desire to obtain registered historical landmark status for the W1AW building.
My thanks to all of the members of the committee for their efforts during the past six months.
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Historical Committee
Tom Frenaye, K1KI, chairman
Al Cohen, W1FXQ
Steve Mansfield, N1MZA, staff liaison
Jim Maxwell, W6CF
Jim McCobb, W1LLU
18 July 2002
