 |
Meg Hall, Director of Archives and Records, standing next to a portrait
of Joseph Cardinal Bernardin |
On March 15, 2017, members of the Chicago Archive Collaborative (which consists of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, Claretian Missionaries USA-Canada, and the North American Province of the Cenacle) visited
The Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Archives and Records Center of the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago. Meg Hall, Director of Archives and Records, gave a tour of the collections and facilities.
Housed at 711 W. Monroe Street in downtown Chicago, the Archives and Record Center contains the personal papers, archdiocesan business records, and photograph collections of Cardinals Mundelein, Stritch, Meyer, Cody, as well as smaller collections for other archbishops and bishops. The business records of Cardinal Bernardin will be open to researchers in 2021, and Cardinal George's will be open in 2040 -- 25 years after their respective deaths.
 |
| One of several large records storage rooms in the Archives |
Pre-1916 sacramental registers for all parishes (open and closed) are available to researchers on microfilm. Also, the Archives actively collects records from closed parishes and schools. In addition, the Archives is the repository for the inactive records and archival collections of archdiocesan agencies, programs, and organizations.
 |
| Meg Hall gives a tour of the Archives workroom. |
 |
| Scanner for digitizing architectural plans and oversize photographs |
The Archives also houses many photographs and architectural plans, and Meg and her staff are in the process of digitizing the oversize materials with the help of a large scanner in their work room.
 |
| Artifact storage area |
 |
Bust of St. Patrick in the reading room
|
 |
| Display case with artifacts and relics |
Artifacts, paintings, and relics are also stored in the archives, some in the restricted stack area and others on display in the reading room.
Many thanks to Meg Hall for taking the time to share her collection with us.
