Name: Jessica Campbell
Supervisor: Claudia Romero
Date: June 5, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Project: Border Heritage Subjects Newspaper Clippings Inventory
Today, I completed the final stages of inventory for Series II: Subject Clippings, processing boxes SN 2 through SV 1. Each box was reviewed folder by folder to document titles, date ranges, subjects, and special formats such as photographs, negatives, and printed booklets. The range of topics was striking in both breadth and depth. Subjects covered included national-level organizations, Native American affairs, energy and environmental concerns, criminal activity, and public programming from the local to the federal level. Of particular note were detailed clippings on education spanning multiple decades, El Paso civic landmarks, law enforcement, and cultural events like the Sun Bowl. I ensured each folder’s metadata was captured accurately and flagged materials of a visual or delicate nature for potential re-housing. All entries were prepared with the goal of contributing directly to the final version of the collection’s finding aid.
Reflecting on this phase of the project, I am struck by how richly textured this archive is and how essential a well-structured finding aid will be for researchers. I found recurring individuals, institutions, and themes across multiple boxes, underscoring the importance of cross-referencing in the final indexing process. I also noted the historical importance of media representation, such as TV shows and political ads, as well as public service initiatives. The effort to document and preserve regional identity through these clippings is both rewarding and humbling. As the physical inventory phase concludes, I feel more confident in my ability to apply professional archival standards to real-world projects. I look forward to transitioning from processing to description and final organization, where my work will support long-term access and discovery for the Historical Society and broader public.
Tasks Completed:
Continued detailed processing of Series II: Subject Clippings, reviewing and inventorying boxes SN 2 through SV 1. The work included inspecting the condition and content of each clipping folder, noting date ranges, identifying formats (photos, negatives, booklets), and logging entries for the finding aid. Each box was reviewed individually and is summarized below.
Boxes Processed:
- SN 2–SN 13 / SO 1: National-level organizations, Native American topics, New Mexico legislative and public service agencies, natural resources, New Year’s and holidays, TV pop culture (e.g., NYPD Blue), and regional community topics like Odessa and nutrition.
- SO 2–SO 5 / SP 1: Topics include oil industry, Olympics, public programs, nuclear plants, environmental hazards, Operation Noel, Orogrande, and local El Paso landmarks.
- SP 2–SP 16 / SQ 1: Wide variety of civic, educational, and political subjects including public parks, parenting, local and national politics, police, prisons, protests, television, and public service.
- SR 5–SR 11: Coverage includes Republican Party, restaurants, Rio Grande Council activities, robberies, Route 66, and extensive documentation on Ruidoso NM.
- SS 1–SS 38: Major focus on education (multiple decades), Santa Fe, safety, schools, Sun Bowl and Sun Carnival events, scholarships, sex abuse, and public services. Included media like photos and awards.
- ST 1–ST 5: Texas education and politics, teens, media, and terrorism.
- SU 4–SU 12 / SV 1: Higher education, particularly UTEP athletics, U.S. federal agencies, and community renewal. Includes photos and brochures.
Notes:
- Materials dated from 1930 to 2000.
- Visual materials (photos, negatives, booklets) were noted in several entries.
- Many regional events and institutions appear repeatedly and may benefit from cross-referencing during finding aid finalization.
- Working on completing a Finding Aid for this collection.
The photo shows the far end of the basement stacks, offering a reverse view of the rows of boxes that have now been fully inventoried. The wall is lined with labeled containers from Series II, signaling the near-completion of this phase of the Border Heritage Newspaper Clippings Project. This vantage point captures both the physical scope of the archive and the steady, methodical progress made throughout the project.