Lindenwood Magazine - Fall 2021

6 FALL 2021 EDITION THE LINDENWOOD 7 FALL 2021 EDITION THE LINDENWOOD RAINS Pouring On the bottom floor of the library, tucked away in the back of the research room of the archives, you can find Lindenwood’s first professional archivist Paul Huffman . Huffman has been with Lindenwood for the last 14 years and has spent that time shaping the archives into what they are today. Huffman started at Lindenwood as an intern and was offered the job as archivist before completing his internship. “When I first got the job, I was discovering new stuff every day and geeking out about it,” Huffman said. “I would stay late because I wanted to see what all there was, and I would be super pumped about coming in. I’m more familiar with the stuff now that I’ve been here 14 years, but there is always new content.” FEATURED STORY HOLDING ONTO HISTORY PAUL HUFFMAN When I first got the job, I was discovering new stuff every day and geeking out about it, I would stay late because I wanted to see what all there was, and I would be super pumped about coming in. I’m more familiar with the stuff now that I’ve been here 14 years, but there is always new content. About four years ago, the archives were transferred from the Butler Library, an old building built in the 1920’s, to the new Library and Academic Resource Center (LARC). The physical archives are kept in the Mary E. Ambler Archives , a chilly 64-degree room which houses hundreds of artifacts related to Lindenwood and St. Charles history, dating back to the early 1800’s. The archives even house some of Lindenwood founder, Mary Sibley’s personal diaries. There was a great benefit to moving the archives to the LARC. The archives are protected by a sprinkler system, and the room is temperature controlled, which helps preserve artifacts by preventing mold, bugs, and other sources that could deteriorate the items. Recently, Huffman has been spending most of his time transferring items into Digital Commons, an online database of archived information that stores academic and creative content. Huffman feels that it is important to make these items easily accessible to anyone who is interested in The archives preserve Lindenwood’s rich history. FEATURED STORY by Mia Tebbe ‘21