First Fridays: Thank You for Your Contributions

To Whom It May Concern: Letters in the Archives

Correspondence, letters, notes, messages, mail – there are many words for these materials that comprise the backbone of the archives. This year we will uplift the humble letters that pepper our collections. Join us on Friday, May 3 for the concluding event in the 2023-24 First Fridays series, presented by the Sherlock Holmes Collections.

Please register to attend in person or online. ASL interpreters will be present for all First Fridays events.

How to Handle Hate Mail (rescheduled from Dec. 1)

Presented by Kate Dietrick, Archivist, Upper Midwest Jewish Archives

The Jewish community has dealt with various types of antisemitism for decades. But what do you do if you’ve received hate through the post? We’ll dive into the materials of the Jewish Community Relations Council and learn how they have historically handled hate mail, and why we would want to preserve these hate-filled documents in the archives.

Thank You for Your Contributions!

Presented by Tim Johnson, Curator, Sherlock Holmes Collections

2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the Sherlock Holmes Collections, a “collection of collections” developed over the years by many contributions from members of the Sherlockian community. This presentation will explore some of the letters which paint a picture of how the Holmes collections grew over the last five decades.

Event details

What: First Fridays, “How to Handle Hate Mail” and “Thank You for Your Contributions!”
When: Friday, May 3, 2024 | Light buffet lunch at 11:30 a.m. | Presentations begin at noon | A tour of the archival caverns will follow the presentation
Where: Elmer L. Andersen Library, room 120 and ONLINE | Parking and directions

First Fridays is made possible by a generous gift from Governor Elmer L. Andersen and Mrs. Eleanor Andersen in honor of former University Librarian Dr. Edward B. Stanford.