Reprints of nine weekly blogs posted from February 4 through March 31, 2022.
Between April 2021 – Jan. 2022, with a mini-grant from the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities, Lesbrarian Mev Miller had been researching the viability of creating Wanderground – a Lesbian Archive/Library located in Rhode Island. The research primarily focused on this goal:
To assess the specific interest and enthusiasm of RI Lesbians to contribute to and use a locally-based archive of Lesbian publications and memorabilia. This research will guide the long-term development of Wanderground as collaborative and welcoming Lesbian-centered community-archive space welcoming to diverse communities.
Here are the research summaries:
- Research Participation, a summary of who participated in the research (Feb. 4, 2022)
- I Found My People
What were our first encounters with Lesbian publications and how they made us feel. (Feb. 11, 2022) - Creating Communities & Activisms
Beyond publications, where else did we find other Lesbians? Where did we go to find ourselves and each other? How was Lesbian/feminist organizing impacted by Lesbian artistic expression? (Feb. 18, 2022) - Sisters Doing It for Ourselves
What did we create here in Rhode Island? Introducing RI authors, musicians, and some others…. (Feb. 25, 2022) - Who Needs Archives (and why the Name “Wanderground”)?
Are Lesbians in Rhode Island enthusiastic about an archive in RI? What can we learn from other Lesbian archives around the country? (March 2, 2022) - Do I Count?? How to Collect Your Life in Memorabilia
Information for how to save your own “stuff” – and why! (March 11, 2022) - Collaborations & Information Sharing
There are other LGBTQ collections in RI! How we can work together and complement each other? (March 18, 2022) - Wanderground – Bigger Visions for Space & Collections (March 25, 2022)
- What’s Next???
Moving Wanderground into the future… (March 31, 2022)