NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A "Roving Archivist" will be at City Hall on Friday to assess the conditions of North Adams' vital records.

 

The strategic assessment conducted by Thomas Doyle represents a significant step toward preserving and protecting the city's historical municipal records, some of which date back more than two centuries, according to City Clerk Tina Marie Leonesio.

 

North Adams was one of five communities selected this year to received a Roving Archivist Program grant from the Massachusetts State Historical Records Advisory Board. 

 

Leonesio, who prepared and submitted the application with guidance from City Councilor Peter Breen, said the assessment will provide invaluable professional guidance as North Adams develops a comprehensive preservation strategy.

 

The assessment will evaluate current records management and archival practices, examine storage conditions, identify preservation priorities, and provide professional recommendations for the long-term care, organization, accessibility, and digitization of historically significant records. 

 

In her application cover letter, Leonesio noted that "multiple clerks" had served over a short period prior to her tenure, "resulting in a loss of institutional knowledge and inconsistent records management practices."

 

She discovered that some records may have been misplaced or lost over time and was most concerned about the "substantial collection" stored in the basement because of lack of space.

 

"Many of these records have likely remained there for years, and their current condition reflects the effects of age, environmental exposure, dust, and mold," Leonesio wrote. "Some materials are already deteriorating, and without immediate intervention, the city risks the permanent loss of irreplaceable historical records that document the history, governance, and development of our community."

 

The condition of the records, especially those stored in the basement, have been of concern for some time. The Historical Commission last year had queried past and current clerks on how they were managed. Some preservation had been done years ago through a grant by local Historical Society members Alan Horbal and Gene Carlson. 

 

The Office of the City Clerk serves as the custodian of thousands of permanent municipal records documenting the history and governance of North Adams. 

 

They include original City Council journals and ordinances dating to the city's incorporation in 1896, vital records, election records, burial records, annual reports, historical licenses, appointments, oaths of office, and other official documents that chronicle the growth and development of the community. Some collections also include records dating back to the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, providing an invaluable record of the city's history. 

 

Mayor Jennifer A. Macksey expressed her support for the initiative and the importance of preserving the City's historical legacy. 

 

"The historical records maintained by the City Clerk's Office tell the story of North Adams — from its earliest years through its growth as a manufacturing center and into the vibrant community we are today," she said in the press release. 

 

"Preserving these records protects our shared history and ensures that future generations will continue to have access to the documents that define our community. I am proud to support this important initiative and grateful that North Adams has been selected to participate in this program." 

 

Doyle worked in archival management for more than 30 years, including for the National Park Service, Keene (N.H.) State College and the Woburn Public Library. He's been a roving archivist since 2021, acting as a consultant for historical societies, libraries and the Berklee College of Music. 

 

During his visit, he will review the records collections, evaluate archival storage conditions, discuss preservation priorities with city officials, and develop recommendations to guide future records management and preservation efforts. 

 

The grant award was made possible through the Massachusetts State Historic Records Advisory Board and the National Historical Publications and Records Commission grant program.