What’s New at the Rutherford County Archive?

Life at the Rutherford County Archive has been revolutionized this year.  After six months of strategic planning, all archive collections were moved to the new county archive building in early September, 2006, under the direction of Rutherford County's first full-time archivist, John Lodl.  Lodl formerly served as director of two local historical sites, the Bradley Academy Museum and the Sam Davis Home.  A 2004 graduate of Middle Tennessee State University with a Masters of Arts in History, he specialized in Public History with a focus on archival and museum studies.

Since the Archive's relocation, both email and visitor requests for access to county documents and research assistance have increased dramatically.  At the same time, the Archive has continued to accession new materials, especially from the County Clerk and the Chancery Court.  Between the increased public service activity and the deluge of new records, County Archives graduate assistants from MTSU's public history program have been very busy!

Current graduate assistants for the Rutherford County Archives are Donna Baldwin, Janine Hunter, and Amy Lundell.  Donna Baldwin is currently revising and creating a computer-database index to the County Clerk Record Books that will facilitate public access to this frequently referenced collection.  Janine Hunter is creating an invaluable tool for genealogists, a searchable computer-database of all marriage certificates and marriage bonds issued in the county since its inception.  Amy Lundell joined the staff at the Archives in January 2007.  After obtaining familiarity with the collections, she will begin a project that complements her interests and the archives needs. 

Numerous projects are available for undergraduate and graduate students at the Rutherford County Archives.  Anyone interested in volunteer, internship, or graduate assistant opportunities should contact Mr. Lodl at (615) 867-4609. Under Mr. Lodl’s direction, graduate assistants at the Rutherford County Archives are afforded the opportunity to learn archival methodology in a collaborative and supportive environment.  The Rutherford County Archives is an exciting place to be in 2007!

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