Southern California history comes alive once again at the 7th-annual Los Angeles Archives Bazaar on the campus of USC on Saturday, October 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Organized by LA as Subject and presented by the University of Southern California Libraries, this free annual event celebrates the diversity of Southern California’s history and culture.
Scholarly researchers, students, journalists, documentary filmmakers, history buffs and others simply interested in exploring the stories of Los Angeles will discover incredible resources and knowledge from more than 80 participating collections.
It all unfolds in USC’s Doheny Library — where all of SoCal history comes together all day, all in one place.
The Archives Bazaar draws its strength from the breadth and variety of its participants’ collections.
The day’s festivities are comprised of two parts: the exhibits on the first floor of the Library, and the programming on the second floor.
Large institutions such as the Getty Research Institute, Autry National Center of the American West, the California Historical Society, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and several UCLA libraries will exhibit items from their libraries, archives and museums.
They will present at the bazaar along with smaller organizations and private collections whose materials fill the gaps left in the region’s official history.
Some of these other organizations include the Friends of Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills, the Museum of the San Fernando Valley, the ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives, the California African American Museum, El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, the Southern California Genealogical Society, the Writers Guild Foundation Library & Archive and the Japanese American National Museum.
Of course, the Metro Transportation Library & Archive will be there once again as well.
The programming for this year’s event include panel discussions regarding Los Angeles and “Car Culture”; a look at “CSI Los Angeles: Archival Case Study Investigations” where forensics meet research; the history of Los Angeles in vintage postcards; Southern California ranchos and homesteads featuring speakers from Pio Pico State Historic Park, Rancho Los Cerritos, and the Homestead Museum.
An educational session titled “On The Record: Getting Started With Oral History” will also take place. The workshop will be presented by the Director of the Center for Oral and Public History at California State University, Fullerton.
Two other very special events will be on the schedule.
“A Very Quick Tour Of Los Angeles Area Archives” will feature quick-paced 5-minute presentations to connect attendees to some of the more interesting collections around the region. Each LA as Subject member will share one notable item from their collections as a springboard to introducing their institution in a “pecha kucha” style lightning round of talks.
Finally, visitors will have a chance to see a screening of “Everyday Sunshine: The Story Of Fishbone.”
This documentary tells the story of the musical band that demolished the walls of genre and challenged the racial stereotypes and political order of the music industry — and the nation — in the early 1980s.
At the Archives Bazaar, LA as Subject unveils its new Strategic Plan.
This three-year roadmap for future activities refocuses the organization’s activities on supporting and strengthening individual members as well as the independent LA as Subject network overall.
Many new activities and endeavors are on tap, from providing online exhibit space for smaller institutions to technology initiatives to expanded workshops and tours.
Metro’s Digital Resources Librarian Kenn Bicknell is the Executive Committee Chair for LA as Subject and has led the Committee through a year-long process to devise this plan.
The Archives Bazaar is free and open to the general public, and this year visitors may take the Expo Line practically to the front door!