Most people who use the Mills Archive will have come across or benefited from the work of Nathanael Hodge, our archivist. Over the years, since Nathanael first joined as a volunteer, he has been instrumental in ensuring our collections are protected and made available to the public. We are now delighted to announce that Nathanael has gained his Professional Diploma with Distinction, enabling him to register as a fully qualified professional archivist.
The appointment of a qualified archivist at the Mills Archive is an important milestone for us on our way to become one of the first nationally accredited archives. As well as an important testament to Nathanael’s ability and commitment, his achievement is a demonstration of the way we at the Archive encourage and help talented individuals to develop their potential.
Nathanael is a key figure in our work, and is not a backroom boy. Many are aware of his role in our training workshops and the exhibitions he puts together. He was responsible for moving from our old, worn-out catalogue to the new one we now have, which is fully compliant with archive standards. This was an impressive, pioneering project which now features as a case study of good practice on the website of the National Archives.
Equally important, but less visible, is the work Nathanael puts into training young volunteers, some of whom have ambitions to become archivists themselves. Qualification demands a long and challenging journey and we are proud of our archivist’s achievement. He now faces new challenges as the flow of new collections continues and the Archive moves into its next phase of development.
