Week 11 - Wrapping Up

The last few files I had grabbed were real clunkers, so instead of heading out to the site this week to grab more, I decided to finish up the ones I had. Going through the files has been extremely time-consuming - it has required a lot of reading, sifting, and recording. Lisa and I were hoping we could finish the first file cabinet, but with the Internship Showcase and our papers being due next week, we decided it would be best to end with the files we have now. 

My last stack of folders

That being said, we finished the first two drawers of the first file cabinet. I know Lisa's document was well over 17 pages, not including my own files (which I've been working on transferring over.) It would have been amazing to finish the first drawer, but with time constraints, working full time, and the details required in cataloging these files, I am happy with the finding aid and work we were able to accomplish! 

Early next week, Lisa and I will meet and map out our presentation for the showcase on Friday. We will also be sure to send Patrick, our internship director, the link to the zoom meeting so that he can watch it. 

We will also work on mapping out our final papers, which will focus on the methodology we implemented and learned throughout the project. This means our final trip to the site will be to return the files we had checked out and take a few pictures of the site with our director, Patrick. (Check out this snazzy photo he snapped of us last week!) 

Lisa and I discussing essential things (how many staple removers and paperclips we need)

As for interesting tidbits from these last files, there were few: in fact, most of them consisted of printed email correspondence between Laumer and various research outlets asking for information. However, there was correspondence between Laumer and an author discussing errors in her book, to which she responded warmly, and various newspaper articles about Chief Osceola and his life and death. 

Correspondence between author Patricia Wickman and Frank Laumer discussing errors in her novel

Of everything I have seen within the files, Laumer's interaction with other historians and authors is the most heartening. There is a keen love for solid research and facts over negligent righteousness between him and the people he spoke with. 

Newspaper articles on Chief Osceola and his life

Chief Osceola is arguably one of the bigger characters of the Indian Removal Act and it was no surprise that his designated file was absolutely filled with articles, journals, clippings, and more of his life and importance to the Seminole Wars. Patrick is also always sure to teach us about these characters when we meet with him at the site, which also features several items of popular culture on the Chief (which I particularly enjoy.) 

While it feels we have finished the most laborious task of our internship in going through these files and creating a finding aid, I feel the pressure of the showcase and the need to articulate and show just what we accomplished with the Seminole War Foundations.