Susan Boardman (Dewey)

Susan Boardman (Dewey) is an American historian, archivist, and curator known for her work in regional preservation, archival management, and public history. She has contributed to museum curation, historical societies, and library archives, collaborating with institutions and scholars to advance access to primary sources and local heritage. Her activities intersect with preservation initiatives, archival best practices, and community-based history projects.

Early life and education

Susan Boardman (Dewey) was raised in a setting that connected her to regional heritage and civic institutions, leading to interests aligned with archives and museums. She pursued formal training in archival studies and history, undertaking coursework and practicums associated with institutions such as Library of Congress, Smithsonian Institution, and university-based special collections. Her academic path included interactions with faculty and programs tied to Columbia University, University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania, and professional organizations including the Society of American Archivists and the American Alliance of Museums. Training emphasized hands-on work with manuscript collections, conservation techniques influenced by standards from National Archives and Records Administration and collaboration with regional historical societies.

Career and professional work

Boardman (Dewey) built a career spanning archival administration, museum curation, and public outreach. She worked with local and regional institutions comparable to New-York Historical Society, Massachusetts Historical Society, Historic New England, and county historical societies, applying practices recommended by the Council of State Archivists and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Her professional roles included collection development, exhibition planning, cataloging according to guidelines from the Library of Congress, and digitization projects in alignment with initiatives from Digital Public Library of America. She collaborated with curators, librarians, and conservators from institutions such as Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Antiquarian Society, National Portrait Gallery (United States), and university archives at Harvard University and Yale University on stewardship projects.

Her archival projects involved accessioning, processing, and creating finding aids consistent with standards from Society of American Archivists and the International Council on Archives. She consulted on community archiving efforts similar to programs run by Smithsonian Institution Outreach and regional initiatives supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Boardman (Dewey) participated in collaborative exhibits and programs with museums, libraries, and municipal archives, coordinating with professionals from New York Public Library, Chicago History Museum, Library and Archives Canada, and state historical commissions. Her work often balanced scholarly research with public programming, engaging partners like PBS, National Endowment for the Humanities, and local cultural organizations.

Personal life and family

Boardman (Dewey) maintains ties to family networks and community groups that inform her interests in genealogy, oral history, and local preservation. Her family connections intersect with civic and cultural organizations similar to Rotary International, Daughters of the American Revolution, and genealogical societies such as the New England Historic Genealogical Society. She has worked alongside volunteers, municipal officials, and local historians comparable to figures who collaborate with National Trust for Historic Preservation chapters and county historical societies. Personal interests include participation in lectures, workshops, and conferences hosted by institutions like American Historical Association and National Council on Public History.

Awards and recognition

Throughout her career, Boardman (Dewey) has received recognition from professional organizations and cultural institutions. Honors have paralleled awards conferred by entities such as the Society of American Archivists, the American Alliance of Museums, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and state historical societies. Her projects have been acknowledged in contexts similar to grants and fellowships from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, preservation awards from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and community recognition from municipal cultural commissions and foundations.

Publications and media appearances

Boardman (Dewey) has contributed to professional literature, exhibition catalogs, and public media. Her writings and contributions align with publications from journals and presses such as The American Archivist, Journal of American History, Smithsonian Magazine, and university presses including Oxford University Press and University of Chicago Press. She has appeared in local and national media formats comparable to segments on NPR, features with PBS, interviews for regional newspapers like The Boston Globe and The New York Times, and contributions to documentary projects produced in collaboration with organizations such as the Smithsonian Channel and History Channel.

Category:American archivists Category:American historians