AARCH Adds Collections Team

The African American Resources, Cultural and Heritage (AARCH) Society is excited to announce the addition of a Collections Team to our Frederick, MD-based organization (pictured left to right): Sharon Jesse Edwards, Ph.D. as Curator/Archivist; Patrick Hodge as Digital Collection Specialist; and Renate Owen as Collection Assistant. 

The team will digitize approximately 1,000 linear feet of documents, letters, records, photos, printed materials, and 40 oversized ephemeral pieces within the AARCH Society Collection that present diverse perspectives of African American life in Frederick County, MD, during the last 200 years. Their work supports the AARCH Society’s planned African American Heritage Center located at the corner of All Saints and Carroll Streets, and will make our collection materials available to online researchers, as well.

“These positions significantly improve our capacity to integrate collection materials into planned exhibits, and finding aids and user guides that will be accessible online to students, educators, researchers, and lifelong learners,” said Executive Director Dr. Cheryl Renée Gooch, who also serves as Project Director for this National Archives grant-funded initiative. “AARCH Society’s reach as a collecting, cultural heritage organization will soon increase exponentially: statewide, nationally and globally.”

Sharon Jesse Edwards, Ph.D.: Dr. Edwards is an educator and historian. She has worked as an educational interpreter, researcher, and curatorial assistant with the Delaware Historical Society, and teaches university-level history courses. She holds a Ph.D. in Public History from Howard University and a Master of Teaching in History from Tufts University.

Patrick Hodge: Patrick is the producer and cinematographer for Three Roads Communications, Inc., with photographic and web design experience. He holds a bachelor’s degree in History from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and has developed 3D modeling to assist in interpreting archaeological sites.

Renate Owen: Renate is a certified library media specialist with decades of experience as a teacher and librarian in Frederick County libraries and public schools. She holds a master’s degree in Library Science from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and baccalaureate degrees in Elementary Education and Journalism. 

We extend a warm welcome to Sharon, Patrick, and Renate and offer our appreciation for the important work they are doing on behalf of African American history in Frederick County, MD.