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There is now a CONTENT FREEZE for Mercury while we switch to a new platform. It began on Friday, March 10 at 6pm and will end on Wednesday, March 15 at noon. No new content can be created during this time, but all material in the system as of the beginning of the freeze will be migrated to the new platform, including users and groups. Functionally the new site is identical to the old one. webteam@gatech.edu
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Atlanta, GA | Posted: June 4, 2013
The 1960s was an era of socio-economic rebirth in Atlanta and that story can be effectively told by tracing the leadership and interactions of college namesake and Georgia Institute of Technology alumnus, Mayor Ivan Allen, Jr.
The newly launched Ivan Allen, Jr. Digital Collection is an ambitious project to gather archival records concerning Mayor Allen’s legacy and southern progress and to collect new material documenting these themes. The collection is intended to serve as a starting point for Allen scholars and those interested in learning about the history of social change in Atlanta.
A project team led by IAC IT Senior Manager, Steve Hodges, along with co-curators from the Georgia Tech Archives is linking resources from historic collections that reside with individuals and institutions across the city, throughout Georgia, and beyond. Resources include oral histories, newspaper articles, news film clips, photos, and cartoons that document Allen’s legacy and era. Among Georgia Tech’s assets are a collection of oral histories with major figures in modern Atlanta history conducted by Ronald Bayor, retired professor in the School of History, Technology, and Society, during the writing of his book Race and the Shaping of Twentieth Century Atlanta (UNC Press).
The project reflects the distinct mission of the college as stewards of the Allen legacy.
“This initiative is a signature part of our ongoing work to bring modern context and relevancy to Mayor Allen’s visionary urban policies and his values of social justice and ethical action,” said Jacqueline Royster, dean of the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts.
Royster hopes the digital collection “will be of benefit in two specific ways: 1) to researchers who need a starting point to explore Ivan Allen Jr.’s contributions as a business leader and as Mayor of Atlanta during a critical period in the city’s urban development, and 2) to students and the public in general in raising knowledge and awareness of Mayor Allen’s leadership in the rise of Atlanta as an international city. We are happy to be working with the Library to strengthen Georgia Tech’s digital collections, as well as with partners in the Atlanta community who have an interest in Atlanta history and general questions of urban governance.”
The project also showcases the Archives’ strength in curating unique collections. Jody Thompson, head of Archives and Records Management, reflects that the “collaboration with the College is a great fit for the Library Archives. We can offer our knowledge of preserving and displaying collections, paper or virtual. We look forward to working with them.”
Readers who know of uncollected materials documenting Allen’s leadership or his relationship with Tech are encouraged to contact steve.hodges@oit.gatech.edu or the Archives at archives@library.gatech.edu.
Visit the Collection: Ivan Allen Jr. Archives
