In 2018, Wake Forest University announced that it would be receiving the donation of then-Senator Richard Burrs political papers in preparation for his leaving office. This donation would lead to the hiring of a visiting archivist tasked with processing the collection within a three-year timeframe. In this presentation, former Collections Archivist Stephanie Bennett and Burr project archivist Kate Trathen will discuss their experience working on the Richard M. Burr Congressional Collection. Stephanie will address advocating for staff in advance, preparing for an inaugural direct report, and supervision and project management of large archival projects. Kate will discuss getting into the nitty-gritty of processing around 500 linear feet of material, project managing the processing work, challenges and opportunities of government documents and the materials of a public figure, and the importance of preserving and providing access to government records.
