Discourse with AMC Records Keeper, Becky Fullerton Unfolds
Rebooted Article:
Get the scoop on the Appalachian Mountain Club's Library & Archives, straight from its dedicated keeper! This intriguing interview originally made waves in the Spring 2024 edition of the AMC New Hampshire Chapter's newsletter, Mountain Passages.
Getting down with AMC's Archives: An illuminating talk with Becky Fullerton, AMC Archivist
Curious about the history of the Appalachian Mountain Club's (AMC) archival treasure trove? Fear not! Becky Fullerton, the club's knowledgeable archivist, is here to spill the beans!
A glimpse into AMC's historical archives: Here's the lowdown!
Let's delve into the foundation and evolution of the AMC's impressive archives. In its early days, the club had a primitive "library" consisting of a few book and map shelves at the Boston Museum of Natural History. As the years went by, this collection expanded, encompassing members' generous donations of photos, personal papers, and memorable souvenirs. The library eventually transformed into an archive, becoming the burrowing ground for club records and other departmental documents.
When Fullerton took the reins as archivist in 2005, she recognized the urgent need to manage the collections rather than maintain them as a traditional library. With her museum collections management and library cataloging background, she seamlessly blended these skills to establish a more purposeful archiving strategy. Today, the department, now dubbed the Appalachian Mountain Club Library & Archives, prioritizes preserving, collecting, and providing access to primary source materials documenting the club's history.
Gems hidden in the archives: A curated selection of intriguing artifacts
Fullerton identifies the completeness of certain archive segments to be one of the most fascinating aspects, such as the meticulously maintained minutes from every council and Board of Directors meeting since the club's inception in 1876. The archives are also proud custodians of numerous captivating collections focusing on various camps, chapters, and their decades-long bursts of activity.
One captivating item of interest sheltered in the archives is a journal penned by a group of hikers trapped in the Lakes of the Clouds Hut from September 25 to 30, 1915. Faced with an early autumn snowstorm, the hut's caretaker provided refuge for the snowbound party as they navigated their way through a multi-day blizzard. Journal entries reveal this reluctant dance with nature, as the group hole up under mounds of blankets, engaged in spirited dancing, and meticulously rationed dwindling food supplies until the weather improved enough for their escape.
Contrastingly, the Mount Pierce summit logbook from June 30, 1900, records the fatal misadventure of hikers William B. Curtis and Allyn Ormsbee. The duo, on their way to an AMC Field Meeting at the Summit House on Mount Washington, unfortunately did not heed deteriorating weather conditions and, tragically, both succumbed to exposure. Their deaths contributed to the construction of an emergency shelter at Lakes of the Clouds the following year and the timely construction of a full-size hut in 1915, just in time to shelter the trapped hikers in need.
Another unexpected addition to the archives is a piece of whale baleen from Admiral Richard E. Byrd's first Antarctic Expedition (1928–30). While the precise route of its journey to the archives remains cloudy, there's speculation that it may have found its way into AMC's care via Arthur Walden, a Tamworth, New Hampshire native who joined Byrd's expedition as a dog handler.
The path that led Becky Fullerton to AMC archivist: A story of passion and persistence
Tracing Becky Fullerton's life story reveals a blend of art history, museum studies, and her high school history teacher Tom White's inspiring guidance. After college, Fullerton's professional journey led her to AMC, where she honed her skills working on a crews team at Bascom Lodge in Massachusetts. This experience opened the door to seasons at Crawford Notch Hostel and Cardigan Lodge before leaping into the realm of museums and libraries in Boston and Vermont. When the opportunity to become AMC's archivist arose, it was a dream career crossover, expertly uniting Fullerton's passions for history and the outdoors.
Notable characters and requests: A parade of quirky inquiries and intriguing interactions
Throughout the years, Fullerton has corresponded with various characters, including a writer in Barcelona creating Canadian Rockies guidebooks, engaging in detailed, letter-to-letter exchanges. The unexpectedness of this connection left Fullerton pondering how the writer could be so far from home while writing about it. Yet, there's no denying the quality of these guidebooks!
Who can access the archives and how? Access, access, access!
There are multiple ways to access the AMC's archived materials; we've got you covered! Researchers can reach Becky Fullerton via email or phone, with approximately 350 reference requests funneled in this way annually. Requests range from singleton articles to extensive writings on specific topics derived from the vast collection.
Additionally, the Library & Archives offers an online catalog for users to browse photographic materials and other items, boasting nearly 7,000 records that encompass the archives' collections dating back to the 1870s. Users can explore every nook and cranny of this online museum, peering into the details of thousands of historical photographs, albums, and scrapbooks.
If a hands-on tour appeals to your senses, plan a visit to the Library & Archives, where they're generally open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursdays through Sundays. Remember to schedule an appointment ahead of time to maximize your research efforts.
The road ahead: Upcoming projects and the digitization mission
As the AMC's sesquicentennial looms in 2026, Fullerton is diving headlong into research and writing mode, diligently compiling a comprehensive account of the club's 150-year journey. Rummaging through the archives' nooks and crannies, Fullerton is combing through handwritten meeting minutes, Appalachia reports, committee files, maps, architectural plans, member diaries, and several other manuscripts to craft an engaging and accurate story of AMC's rich history. with the Communications Team over the next couple of years to curate an online resource showcasing 150 years of Appalachian Mountain Club history.
Some final thoughts: Digitization, digitization, digitization!
When asked about the digitization question, Fullerton explains the formidable challenge and time-consuming nature of the task. As digitizing a single photograph requires multiple steps—scanning, naming of the digital file, recording metadata, creating reference copies, and inputting the data into the online catalog—the sheer volume of the task is staggering. Multiplying this process by tens of thousands of photographs on mere mention of the enormity of the undertaking. However, Fullerton remains optimistic, envisioning a not-so-distant future when high-priority Collections will be easily accessible in the digital realm, allowing everyone to explore the myriad stories woven into the Appalachian Mountain Club's incredible past.
- The Appalachian Mountain Club's Library & Archives maintains a wealth of historical documents that chronicle the club's evolution, including items related to home-and-garden activities, such as personal papers, photos, and souvenirs, which show the transformation of the initial library into an archive.
2.becca Fullerton, the dedicated keeper of the AMC Library & Archives, frequently encounters intriguing artifacts during her work, like the detailed minutes from every council and Board of Directors meeting since the club's inception in 1876, which offer a captivating view into the lifestyles and outdoor-living experiences of the AMC members during different eras.
