This past winter and spring HCI-PSAR facilitated an internship program that paired emerging archivists in need of hands-on experience with small repositories in need of processing assistance and large repositories willing to train and supervise the intern. We matched intern Daniel DelViscio with the Old York Road Historical Society and Drexel University College of Medicine Archives & Special Collections. Daniel reflected on Isabel Smith Stein collection on Elizabeth Cisney Smith, the Kiwanis Club of Jenkintown records, and his other experiences in the blog below.

In the three and a half years I've worked on the HCI-PSAR project, I've met hundreds of individuals at area small repositories who are passionate about preserving the archival collections under their care. I've been impressed at how proactive many of you have been in seeking opportunities to learn professional standards, but I've also noticed that you each bring a unique perspective and innovative ideas to the tasks at hand.

Hold onto your yarmulkes and brush up on your Hebrew! In this week's blog post, we'll delve deep into the archives of Mikveh Israel of Philadelphia, one of the oldest Jewish congregations in the United States. Its congregants have included many luminaries who were influential in religious and secular contexts, locally and often nationally. Of course, not all of Mikveh Israel's members are famous. Mikveh Israel's extensive archives also document the lives of ordinary Jews and the Jewish community in Philadelphia, covering more than 250 years. 

Philadelphia's Central High School is the second oldest continuously public high school in the United States. Chartered in 1836, its first building, located at Juniper and Market streets, opened its doors in 1838. The school has changed buildings three times (1854, 1900, and 1939) since then and is currently located in its fourth building at the corner of Ogontz and Olney avenues. Since 1849, Central has been allowed to grant Bachelor of Arts degrees to its graduates who have met the degree requirements. Today, Central is the only high school in the country with this ability.