The Archives Crew Enters New Era
Marshall Alvarado | October 28, 2025
The Archives Crew at Warren Wilson College (WWC) has been hard at work reorganizing the archives. The archives consist of original documents and other antique materials that preserve WWC’s history, as well as some history of the Swannanoa Valley, making this knowledge more accessible for students who may be curious about the past of WWC and Swannanoa.
The Archives Crew, located in the basement of the library, is a crew responsible for organizing and accessioning, appraising and maintaining the archival materials WWC has in storage. Richmond Joyce, a sophomore on the crew, invites students and staff to come to the archives if they have any historical inquiries.
“The archives are an ever-living and ever-growing collection of Warren Wilson College history that is open to students and staff,” Joyce said. “If you have questions about the college, we've probably got some answers there. We've got so much information, and all you need to do is just come, visit us, and ask us some questions.”
Joyce shared their favorite part of being on the Archives Crew.
“There are so many small personal histories in the archive, and that's what really interests me about history,” Joyce said. “Looking at the more mundane and domestic aspects of people's lives, or just looking at people who didn't do anything crazy or wild, and so they just get looked over.”
The Archives Crew has a historical presence, but was abandoned after the last archivist left during the pandemic. However, Jeff Keith, professor of history and the college's archivist, took over, spurred by his passion for history, which he expressed, noting that learning about the past can change you.
“I talk with my students about how the past can be quite unpredictable and how you can go on adventures with the questions you have, and you may not find a satisfactory, simple answer, but you'll certainly have an adventure, and you'll learn and emerge changed and improved by what you learn,” Keith said.
Upon taking over the archives, Keith set out to reorganize the numerous documents, photos and other archival materials with the help of his crew, whom he had been supervising for a year and a half, now consisting of six passionate students eager to help.
Keith expressed his enthusiasm for his dedicated crew and their efforts to improve the assortment within the archives.
“I'm excited that I have this amazing crew to grow and improve our collection, but also to distribute it in the form of photographs, stories and databases that they're putting together and compiling,” Keith said.
In the midst of rearranging the archival materials to be more accessible for curious minds, the crew came up with Archive Cards, or better known as Link Cards, which were designed by now-alumnus, PJ Parker. A Link Card would show that students or faculty completed a short 10-minute training in which they are walked through the handling process, the privacy concerns and overall encouraged to enjoy the archives. Joyce explained how the Link Card would provide you with supervised access to the archives and serve as a nice souvenir.
Photo of the Link Card taken in Swannanoa, N.C. (Echo/Alvarado).
“You are supervised, but [have] much easier access to the archives,” Joyce said. “It's just a way of keeping track of who has signed the paperwork. Besides, it's a fun little knick-knack to have and show off too.”
The crew is also planning to hold an open house event, and Keith expressed enthusiasm about the artifacts that will be featured.
“I'm really thrilled to share the facility itself, here in the basement of the library, on November 4 during our open house,” Keith said. “So I encourage anyone curious to come out. Among the things they can see are documents and artifacts about the history of the school. But also, they could sign up and get a Link Card, which will give them access to the archives in the future if they're ever curious about our resources and our institution's history, which is very fascinating.”
The Archives Crew open house will be taking place on November 4 from 4-6 p.m.. The event will feature artifacts and documents of WWC’s history, snacks offered for consumption outside the archives and a chance for anyone to get their own Link Card.