2025 Archival History Section Annual Business Meeting

The Steering Committee of the Archival History Section is pleased to invite you to our annual meeting on July 31 from 1:00pm to 2:30pm CT (beginning 2:00 pm EST, 12:00 pm MT, 11:00 am PT). We will report on business of the year and present the Archival History Article Awards. Then, we will hear from invited speaker, Christopher Livingston, Director, Historical Research Center at California State University, Bakersfield about the current work at the HRC. Below is a biography and summary of his presentation.

Bio: Christopher B. Livingston is the Director of the Historical Research Center at California State University, Bakersfield. He holds a Master of Arts in History from CSU Bakersfield and a Master of Library and Information Science from San José State University. His research and teaching center on public history, archives, and oral history, with a focus on how diversity and power influence archival collections and the historical record. He teaches courses in Archives and Special Collections and Oral History Methods, guiding students through the complexities of documenting underrepresented voices.

Livingston has played a key role in developing collections on Basque history, housing discrimination, and the Farm Labor Movement in California. He is dedicated to mentoring students and fostering community-engaged scholarship, encouraging collaborative projects that preserve local histories and amplify marginalized voices.

Abstract: This presentation reflects on how archival theory intersects with personal experience and community engagement. Using Shellenberg’s framework of neutrality as a point of departure, it explores how critical race theory and lived experience reveal the limitations of traditional archival approaches. Through a student graduate project and the development of the “Celebrating Black Heritage” and Red Lining initiatives in Kern County, the talk illustrates how community-centered archival work can challenge dominant narratives, amplify marginalized voices, and reshape local memory through inclusive practices.

NOTE: Participation is free for anyone interested in the history of archives, whether you are registered for the Society of American Archivists’ conference or not. However, attendees are required to RSVP in advance for the virtual session. Please use the link below.

Hope to see you there!

Natalie Worsham
Chair