Earlier this month, remodeling for the Historical Society’s new reading room was completed. The room provides a controlled and secure environment in which researchers can use the Society’s archival records and rare books.

The work of stewarding unique historical collections requires a careful balancing of preservation and access. The Historical Society takes its preservation mandate very seriously. Since our move to Bethany, our collections have resided in a climate-controlled storage environment that slows their physical and chemical deterioration. Historical Society staff also follow specific procedures when handling and housing collection materials to reduce wear and tear. But if the Historical Society only preserves, it cannot proclaim the story of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the Stone-Campbell tradition. Proclamation requires granting both physical and digital access to our holdings. 

The new reading room enables the Historical Society staff to provide physical access to collection materials while safeguarding them from damage, loss, and theft. The room is used solely for research, and newly installed windows allow the archivists to supervise use of the collections. Researchers may bring only pencils, paper, and laptop computers into the reading room; new lockers in the lobby are available for storing other personal belongings. Canister lights illuminate the room evenly and reduce the temptation to lift books and documents from the table for a better look. A computer, scanner, and digital microfilm reader will soon be added to the reading room for researcher use. 

We invite you to try out the new reading room by scheduling an in-person research appointment. You may use the online form or send an email to [email protected] Or, if you’re passing through Bethany, simply stop by and take a look.