Preserving the history of Alcoholics Anonymous

The history of alcohol's impact on American society -- including the extraordinary role played by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) -- may be more widely accessible to researchers than ever before as a result of a conference that took place last spring at Brown University's Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies.

More than 20 individuals, representing a variety of disciplines and organizations and including independent archivists and collectors, were invited to discuss the use and expansion of the Chester H. Kirk Collection on Alcoholism and Alcoholics Anonymous. This enormous archive of materials was established at Brown in 1995 by a $250,000 gift from the late Chester H. Kirk, a life member of the NCADD board of directors. Kirk's generous gift also included funds for maintaining the collection and supporting research.

The materials that form the basis of the collection were purchased from Charles Bishop Jr., an antiquarian bookseller in Wheeling, W.Va. Known as the "Bishop of Books," he began collecting in 1976, often searching at flea markets, auctions, and book and antique shows. Though he had amassed 500 items by 1992, his collection grew 30 times in size when he acquired a trailer truck of materials from the Anti-Saloon League in Westerville, Ohio. Much of this bonanza -- which included 900 cubic feet of boxes, books and pamphlets and four-foot-high stacks of newspapers -- dated from Prohibition and will take years to sort and catalog.

Strengths of the Kirk Collection

The major strengths of the Kirk Collection now lie in the history of colonial and revolutionary temperance movements, Prohibition and repeal, and more modern studies of alcohol and alcoholism that emphasize AA. Though the majority of pieces are American, there are also works from 19th and 20th century England, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. The subjects covered range from drinking customs and the rum trade to taxation, ethnic studies and 12-step programs similar to AA. To help keep the collection current, Bishop has decided to add whatever materials he continues to acquire and receive through his many periodical subscriptions.

The earliest item is a 1493 leaf taken from the Nuremberg Chronicle depicting a drunken Noah. Also included is the first book published on alcoholism in America, The Mighty Destroyer Displayed by "A Lover of Mankind" (Anthony Benezet, 1774). Filling out the remainder of the 15,000-piece collection are 2,646 books including 2,177 citations in newspapers, journals and magazines (some in rare single issues), newsletters, government publications, catalogs of alcoholism material for sale, audio tapes, movies, AA videos, 40 glass slides from World War I, letters, autographs, sheet music and song books, photographs, prints, posters, movie placards, wood frames and ephemera.

"This is the type of collection that's of interest to all different fields because of its sociological aspects, medical aspects and cultural aspects. It's also a very significant acquisition for people interested in the history of self-help groups in America," said Merrily Taylor, Brown University librarian.

Conference encouraged future research

The primary purpose of the three-day conference, jointly sponsored by Brown's Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies and the Stepping Stones Foundation, was to survey what similar archives exist and to determine how the Kirk Collection might be used to enhance these resources and to encourage future research. Specifically, conference participants discussed ways to learn about the availability of new items and to decide which are significant. The group eventually agreed that the caretakers of the collection should pro-actively and freely acquire available materials, leaving the decision about value to those who ultimately use the collection. It also strongly recommended the activities of the Kirk Collection be coordinated with other major archives (such as the Alcohol and Temperance History Group of the American Historical Association), libraries, research facilities and interested national professional organizations.

Broad topics for research that could be conducted through the Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies were also considered during the conference. The participants expressed hope that the increasing availability of information will spark a diversity of interests covering an array of topics, including religion and spirituality, women and gender, cross-cultural issues and perceptions of alcohol use, and treatment for addiction (including programs like AA).

While not exhaustive, the list of research suggestions that emerged from the conference helped define particularly weak areas of current knowledge. Included among possible long-term projects were an oral history of current members of AA, a study of the influence of different types of therapy on alcohol detoxification treatment and a historical study of abstinence and harm-reduction policies.

Oral history project to preserve fading memories

For their first coordinated effort, conference participants chose an oral history project to preserve memories the field is in danger of losing. A special effort will be made to interview important figures who are nearing the ends of their lives. Several of the researchers noted that some tape recordings of deceased individuals already exist. While attention will be given to copying these kinds of materials for use in the Kirk Collection, the first priority will be actively seeking out and interviewing those whose reminiscences have not yet been recorded.

Conference participants returned again and again to the issue of furthering cooperation between researchers who are academically affiliated and those who are independent. While some collectors of AA-related materials can be encouraged to deposit what they have gathered in archives such as the Kirk Collection, many others will choose to retain their treasures in their home localities. To encourage a sharing of inventories of both public and private collections, the conferees -- many of whom already have responsibility for such collections -- promised to lead this effort by their own example.

For more information about the Kirk Collection and fellowship opportunities that include three-month stipends, contact David C. Lewis, M.D., Brown University Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Box G-BH, Providence, RI 02912; telephone: (401) 444-1818; fax: (401) 444-1850.

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