Mother Bethel Archive Looks For New Materials After Making Room For Documents & Artifacts

Jan. 29, 2013 - PRLog -- THE ARCHIVE ROOM AT MOTHER BETHEL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL (AME) CHURCH FEELS A LITTLE EMPTIER NOW, after the historic church moved much of its documents and printed materials to the nearby Presbyterian Historical Society (PHS).  “The archive room at Mother Bethel was filled to capacity,” says Margaret Jerrido, Mother Bethel’s Archivist and congregant. “We were unable to accept new material. By leasing space at PHS and relocating the documents, we were able to free up much needed room so we can continue to expand our collection.” The Archive at Mother Bethel receives frequent visitors and researchers, including history scholars and AME Church pilgrims. Over the years, many AME’s have shared their legacy with Mother Bethel by bequeathing items to the church for historical preservation. By moving the materials, Mother Bethel is able to accept new material. The PHS is located one block away from Mother Bethel on South 5th and Lombard Streets, which is extremely convenient. The facility is humidity and temperature controlled, secure, and large enough to store items from Mother Bethel. “None of the material has been given away and Mother Bethel still maintains exclusive control of our collection,” says Rev. Dr. Mark Tyler, Mother Bethel’s 52nd Pastor. “In order to view materials stored at PHS, researchers must still make an appointment with Mother Bethel’s Archivist.” Reservations can be made online at http://www.motherbethel.org or by contacting Margaret Jerrido at the church at (215) 925-0616. Mother Bethel is fortunate to have Ms. Jerrido as a part of the family. Prior to her retirement from Temple University, she was Director of the Urban Archives in the Paley Library for 17 years. Ms. Jerrido is a respected member of the archival community in Philadelphia and beyond.

The Mother Bethel Archives contain materials from Bishops, General Officers, Pastors, AME Church members, deeds, microfilm, funeral programs, photographs, framed certificates, plaques, and many other objects of interest to researchers. It should be noted that no items from the Richard Allen Museum (also housed in the lower level of Mother Bethel) were moved.

To donate your items to the Archive at Mother Bethel or to schedule an appointment to research our materials please contact us via email at margaret.jerrido@motherbethel.com (or call our Archivist Margaret Jerrido at (215) 925-0616.

About Margaret Jerrido

Margaret Jerrido is the Archivist for the Mother Bethel AME church.  Previously she was Archivist and Head of the Urban Archives, in the Temple University Libraries, for 17 years.  Prior to this position, she was the Assistant Archivist in the Archives & Special Collections on Women in Medicine at the former Medical College of Pennsylvania.  Ms. Jerrido has conducted workshops on how to preserve all formats of historical materials, planned workshops and lead discussion groups on forming an archives.  She has participated in panels on how to conduct oral histories.  In addition, she has consulted with various repositories throughout Philadelphia on how to establish and maintain an archives.  She has written, was awarded and served as project manager for grants from the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, William Penn Foundation, and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.  She is a member of the Delaware Valley Archivists Group (DVAG) and the Mid-Atlantic Archives Conference (MARAC).  She was the first Chair of the former group and has been involved in the latter holding various offices and presenting a number of papers on various aspects of collecting, preserving and maintaining historical records.

Following are some of the publications which Ms. Jerrido has written for, contributed to or edited: Directory of African American Collections in Greater Philadelphia and Selected Suburban Areas.  PACSCL Photograph Directory. The Encyclopedia of African American Cultural and History.   Black Women in American: an historical encyclopedia. and the  Handbook of American Women's History.
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