Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally Told

Caverns of Memory: Erin McBrien’s Archival Journey

Natalie Zett Season 3 Episode 97
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In today's episode, I speak with Erin McBrien, Interim Curator at the Upper Midwest Literary Archives (University of Minnesota), to explore the fascinating world behind preserving our collective stories.

Highlights:

  • Step inside a real-life treasure vault: 80 feet underground in limestone caverns(!) where priceless historical materials are preserved
  • From famous horror magazines to immigrant stories: Erin shares her path from South Dakota to becoming the guardian of Midwestern literary history
  • Learn why preserving "ordinary" people's stories matters just as much as famous authors
  • Discover how my research for both my family and the other people of the Eastland will find a permanent, accessible home at UMLA
  • Explore the challenges of preserving digital history in an AI age (and why that matters to all of us)
  • Find out why you don't need to be a scholar to access these amazing collections - they're for everyone!

Fun Facts:

  • The archive is housed in underground caverns with perfect temperature and humidity control
  • Erin worked with materials from Forrest Ackerman, the legendary founder of Famous Monsters magazine (I had a total fan moment about this!)
  • The collections include everything from handwritten letters to protest materials to adoption records
  • Every piece of history they preserve becomes publicly accessible - no gatekeeping here

Quote of the Episode: "There is no point to us saving this if people do not engage with it." - Erin McBrien

Whether you're a history buff, writer, researcher, or just curious about the stories that shape our communities, this episode offers a glimpse into how we ensure important histories aren't lost to time.

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