Safeguarding the Frontier: Rehousing Box 2 of the Dolan Papers Collection - 16JUN2025 1000-1800 - Supervisor: Claudia Romero

Work Description: Today, I continued physical processing of the Dolan Papers Collection, with a specific focus on Box 2 (Folders #228–292). This box contains historical documents dating from the late 1800s through the early 1900s, many of which highlight administrative practices, legal proceedings, and personal communications from the Texas frontier era. My primary task was to rehouse each folder into acid-free archival enclosures to promote long-term preservation and stability. I carefully labeled all new folders to reflect the original arrangement, ensuring consistency with the structure already established during earlier stages of inventory. For every item, I reviewed its contents and recorded essential metadata in the processing spreadsheet, including item type, date range, donor information, condition, and new folder location. The contents varied widely and included letters, legal records, land deeds, arrest reports, and government pamphlets, each offering valuable insight into West Texas civic and military life. Several items required special attention due to brittle paper, rusted fasteners, and fading ink; these were flagged for future conservation review. This hands-on phase reminded me how crucial physical stabilization is when working with legacy collections that carry both historical and research significance.

As I completed the rehousing of Box 2, I felt increasingly confident in my ability to apply core archival principles to complex materials. Maintaining original order while upgrading housing conditions required close attention to detail, especially as I encountered fragile or partially misfiled documents. Many of the records captured a blend of official and personal narratives—such as homestead applications mixed with handwritten family letters—highlighting the intimate connection between individuals and the systems they navigated. I made sure to document not only the physical condition but also the contextual integrity of each folder, reinforcing the importance of description as a tool for discovery and ethical stewardship. Several of the documents bore marks of age and use, which served as a visual reminder of their journey through time and their continued relevance. Each piece I handled carried a fragment of regional memory, whether it involved land transfer, legal disputes, or public appointments. The process of reviewing and rehousing these materials deepened my respect for the legacy of Captain Patrick Dolan and the collection’s broader role in documenting law enforcement, land ownership, and community life in 19th-century Texas. With this stage now complete, I look forward to drafting arrangement notes and finalizing preservation strategies to support long-term access.

Reflection: Working with the historical records in Box 2 today reinforced my commitment to preserving archival materials with both care and intention. The Dolan Papers Collection tells a powerful story about the individuals who shaped—and were shaped by—the early legal, military, and civic institutions of Texas. As I examined each folder, I became especially drawn to the personal letters and handwritten legal documents that brought historical figures to life in vivid detail. These records reflect both public service and personal complexity, reminding me that archives are not just about institutions—they’re about people. This work challenged me to think critically about how descriptive metadata and physical arrangement support researcher access without compromising the original structure of a collection. It was rewarding to see how much I’ve grown in applying professional archival techniques, from condition reporting to precise labeling and documentation. Each step of this project gives me a deeper appreciation for the ethical responsibility archivists hold in caring for the past. I’m proud of today’s progress and eager to build upon it in the coming days as I move into developing the finding aid and final descriptive plan.

Definitions:

• Rehousing – The process of transferring materials into archival-quality containers (such as acid-free folders and boxes) to improve their long-term preservation.
• Original order – An archival principle that maintains the creator's original arrangement of materials, preserving the context in which they were used or created.
• Descriptive metadata – Information recorded about materials (e.g., title, date, condition, format) that aids in identification, discovery, and long-term management.

Summary of Work Completed:

• Completed rehousing of Box 2 of the Dolan Papers Collection (Folders #228–292).
• Transferred documents into acid-free folders and new archival box, labeled according to original arrangement.
• Recorded metadata for each folder: item type, estimated date, physical condition, donor attribution, and location.
• Identified and flagged fragile documents for future conservation efforts.
• Maintained consistency with previously established folder structure to support future arrangement and access.
• Completed full processing of Box 2 in preparation for final descriptive planning and finding aid drafting.

📂 Total Folders Rehoused: 65
🛠️ Preservation Actions: Stabilization of fragile items, removal of fasteners, condition notes.
📌 Next Steps: Begin drafting intellectual arrangement and thematic groupings for finding aid.