"'The time has come,' the Walrus said . . . "

Its been a very long while, it seems, since I've had a chance to catch up with this blog. The past couple of weeks around here have been mostly devoted to writing . . . . THE FINDING AID! With two hundred years of history to cover, and 24 series and sub-series statements to write, not to mention the usual LC subject headings hunt, description, linear feet calculation, abstract, etc., etc. . . . it obviously took a while. But just this morning I dotted the last "i" and crossed the last "t" and now you only have a few weeks (at most) to wait until you can see the description in all its multi-page glory. For those unfamiliar with the Archival Portal on the Columbia Libraries website, here's a screenshot for you (click on the image and it will take you directly to the portal):

When you arrive at the page, you can do a search for "Chamber of Commerce" and the finding aid should pop up for your viewing pleasure. But, like I said, you'll have to wait for a few more weeks before its available. In the meantime, I thought I would just share some images from the collection that I scanned during the course of the project for one reason or another, but that I never managed to post on this blog:

1950s cover of a folder stuffed with NYCC promo materials

Photograph of winners of an essay contest held by the NYCC, circa 1950s

Reproduction of a handbill announcing the formation of the NYCC in 1768

Fraunces Tavern, the first headquarters of the NYCC, date unknown

Textiles found with an arbitration case from the late 1800s

Monthly meeting in the Great Hall, circa 1960s

Now that the finding aid is finished, Katie and I have the whole next week to devote to wrapping up loose ends, and most importantly, boxing up all of our oversize volumes in their newly arrived, specially made boxes. Then we will send off the last of the boxes to our off site storage facility, where they will wait with the rest of the collection until researchers ask to see them.

"'The time has come,' the Walrus said . . . "