Abstract
In historical studies, archives are most commonly defined as repositories where primary sources are kept. Archives are often held in libraries, historical societies, universities, and even in digital formats. Yet, numerous scholars across the disciplines have complicated our understanding in recent decades by seeking to expand and challenge the traditional conception of the historical archive. Some question whether archives must be a physical space. Others wonder about the relationship between individuals, society, and the space itself. While unable to engage every debate, this chapter seeks to provide insight on historical archives by elucidating their importance in shifting historical study in the United States from an “amateur” to a more “professional,” though certainly not fully objective, ideal. The entry begins by exploring the “amateur” ideal of historical scholarship in the United States prior to the advent of archives, before turning to the move toward professionalization. It then examines the role of archives once the concept of objectivity was complicated and ultimately debunked. Finally, it discusses a paradox regarding the future of archives.
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Zayed, K.S. (2019). Archives and the American Historical Profession. In: Fitzgerald, T. (eds) Handbook of Historical Studies in Education. Springer International Handbooks of Education. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-0942-6_50-1
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