An Inside Look at Processing a Collection: The R. Allen and Beatrix T. Gardner Papers

-contributed by Emily Gainer, Assistant Processing Archivist/Special Collections Librarian.

In 2022, the Archives of the History of American Psychology received nearly 500 boxes of papers, films, photographs, and computer hard drives and disks from the estate of R. Allen Gardner. These papers document the Gardners’ unique research on communication with cross-fostered chimpanzees. This is one of the largest collections we have received at the Archives and it provides an excellent opportunity to see how our whole team collaborates in the intake and processing of any given collection that arrives on our loading dock.

The R. Allen and Beatrix T. Gardner papers are now open for research. CCHP staff and student assistants have digitized and made over 3,400 still images from this collection available.

History

R. Allen (1930-2021) and Beatrix T. (1933-1995) Gardner started Project Washoe in 1966. During this study, the Gardners cross-fostered the chimpanzee Washoe and taught her to communicate using American Sign Language (ASL). Washoe was raised in a trailer in the Gardners’ backyard in Reno, Nevada. The study ended in 1970.

Washoe signing “flower”, 1968. From the R. Allen and Beatrix T. Gardner papers, Box M8061, Folder 4.

" data-image-title="M8059_68-33 copy" data-orig-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8059_68-33-copy.png" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" width="853" data-medium-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8059_68-33-copy.png?w=297" sizes="(max-width: 853px) 100vw, 853px" data-permalink="https://centerhistorypsychology.wordpress.com/2023/10/19/processing-gardner-papers/m8059_68-33-copy/" alt="A photograph of a young chimpanzee with her finger pointing to her nose. A human hand is holding a flower in front of the chimpanzee. The chimp is wearing a white, blue, and yellow striped tshirt and a diaper. She is sitting outside on a brick patio." height="861" srcset="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8059_68-33-copy.png 853w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8059_68-33-copy.png?w=150 150w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8059_68-33-copy.png?w=297 297w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8059_68-33-copy.png?w=768 768w" class="wp-image-5912" data-large-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8059_68-33-copy.png?w=500" />Washoe signing “flower”, 1968. From the R. Allen and Beatrix T. Gardner papers, Box M8061, Folder 4.

Washoe signing “please”, 1970. From the R. Allen and Beatrix T. Gardner papers, Box M8059, Folder 11.

" data-image-title="M8059_70-113 copy" data-orig-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8059_70-113-copy.png" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" width="769" data-medium-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8059_70-113-copy.png?w=300" sizes="(max-width: 769px) 100vw, 769px" data-permalink="https://centerhistorypsychology.wordpress.com/2023/10/19/processing-gardner-papers/m8059_70-113-copy/" alt="A photograph of a chimpanzee sitting on the cement with her hand holding the door handle of a glass door. The profile of a man wearing glasses, khaki pants, and a red shirt is on the right side. The chimpanzee has one arm bent across her chest." height="513" srcset="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8059_70-113-copy.png 769w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8059_70-113-copy.png?w=150 150w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8059_70-113-copy.png?w=300 300w" class="wp-image-5913" data-large-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8059_70-113-copy.png?w=500" />Washoe signing “please”, 1970. From the R. Allen and Beatrix T. Gardner papers, Box M8059, Folder 11.

Washoe exiting her trailer, 1970. From the R. Allen and Beatrix T. Gardner papers, Box M8060, Folder 1.

" data-image-title="M8060_70-409 copy" data-orig-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8060_70-409-copy.png" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" width="511" data-medium-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8060_70-409-copy.png?w=199" sizes="(max-width: 511px) 100vw, 511px" data-permalink="https://centerhistorypsychology.wordpress.com/2023/10/19/processing-gardner-papers/m8060_70-409-copy/" alt="A photograph of a chimpanzee wearing a blue shirt. Washoe, the chimpanzee, is opening the door of a blue and white trailer." height="769" srcset="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8060_70-409-copy.png 511w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8060_70-409-copy.png?w=100 100w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8060_70-409-copy.png?w=199 199w" class="wp-image-5909" data-large-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8060_70-409-copy.png?w=500" />Washoe exiting her trailer, 1970. From the R. Allen and Beatrix T. Gardner papers, Box M8060, Folder 1.

Washoe and Beatrix T. Gardner, 1970. From the R. Allen and Beatrix T. Gardner papers, Box M8060, Folder 10.

" data-image-title="M8060_70-628 copy" data-orig-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8060_70-628-copy.png" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" width="767" data-medium-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8060_70-628-copy.png?w=300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, 767px" data-permalink="https://centerhistorypsychology.wordpress.com/2023/10/19/processing-gardner-papers/m8060_70-628-copy/" alt="A photograph of a woman with short dark hair wearing a brown jacket is fed a long leaf by a chimpanzee." height="511" srcset="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8060_70-628-copy.png 767w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8060_70-628-copy.png?w=150 150w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8060_70-628-copy.png?w=300 300w" class="wp-image-5911" data-large-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8060_70-628-copy.png?w=500" />Washoe and Beatrix T. Gardner, 1970. From the R. Allen and Beatrix T. Gardner papers, Box M8060, Folder 10.

Washoe and R. Allen Gardner, 1970. From the R. Allen and Beatrix T. Gardner papers, Box M8060, Folder 7.

" data-image-title="M8060_70-562 copy" data-orig-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8060_70-562-copy.png" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" width="770" data-medium-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8060_70-562-copy.png?w=300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px" data-permalink="https://centerhistorypsychology.wordpress.com/2023/10/19/processing-gardner-papers/m8060_70-562-copy/" alt="A photograph of a man with a beard and glasses and navy blue shirt with his head close to a chimpanzee. It is a head-and-shoulders view of both the man and chimpanzee." height="511" srcset="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8060_70-562-copy.png 770w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8060_70-562-copy.png?w=150 150w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8060_70-562-copy.png?w=300 300w" class="wp-image-5910" data-large-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8060_70-562-copy.png?w=500" />Washoe and R. Allen Gardner, 1970. From the R. Allen and Beatrix T. Gardner papers, Box M8060, Folder 7.

In 1972, the Gardners began a second study. The study is less well-publicized, but possibly of greater scientific significance. The Gardners began with days-old chimpanzees, carried out rigorous testing and documentation, and worked with human companions fluent in ASL. The second study involved a total of four chimpanzees over nine years. These cross-fostered chimps, raised at a ranch in Reno, included:

• Moja who lived with the Gardners from 1972-1979,
• Pili who lived with the Gardners from 1973 until his death in 1975,
• Tatu who lived with the Gardners from 1976-1981, and
• Dar who lived with the Gardners from 1976-1981.

Moja, 7 years old, 1979. From the R. Allen and Beatrix T. Gardner papers, Box M8130, Folder 79-9A.

" data-image-title="79-9A-13 copy" data-orig-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/79-9a-13-copy.png" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" width="1581" data-medium-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/79-9a-13-copy.png?w=300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 1581px) 100vw, 1581px" data-permalink="https://centerhistorypsychology.wordpress.com/2023/10/19/processing-gardner-papers/79-9a-13-copy/" alt="A photograph of a chimpanzee looking directly at the camera. She is holding a blue blanket and sitting on a red striped couch." height="1080" srcset="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/79-9a-13-copy.png?w=1024 1024w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/79-9a-13-copy.png 1581w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/79-9a-13-copy.png?w=150 150w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/79-9a-13-copy.png?w=300 300w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/79-9a-13-copy.png?w=768 768w" class="wp-image-5921" data-large-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/79-9a-13-copy.png?w=500" />Moja, 7 years old, 1979. From the R. Allen and Beatrix T. Gardner papers, Box M8130, Folder 79-9A.

Pili and Beatrix T. Gardner looking at picture/stimuli books, 1975. From the R. Allen and Beatrix T. Gardner papers, Box M8131, Folder 21.

" data-image-title="M8131_F21_420 copy" data-orig-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8131_f21_420-copy.png" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" width="1538" data-medium-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8131_f21_420-copy.png?w=300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 1538px) 100vw, 1538px" data-permalink="https://centerhistorypsychology.wordpress.com/2023/10/19/processing-gardner-papers/m8131_f21_420-copy/" alt="A photograph of a small chimpanzee sitting on a plaid couch and looking at a binder of images. A woman with short dark hair is partially out of frame on the left side." height="1080" srcset="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8131_f21_420-copy.png?w=1024 1024w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8131_f21_420-copy.png 1538w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8131_f21_420-copy.png?w=150 150w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8131_f21_420-copy.png?w=300 300w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8131_f21_420-copy.png?w=768 768w" class="wp-image-5924" data-large-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8131_f21_420-copy.png?w=500" />Pili and Beatrix T. Gardner looking at picture/stimuli books, 1975. From the R. Allen and Beatrix T. Gardner papers, Box M8131, Folder 21.

Infant Tatu, 1976. From the R. Allen and Beatrix T. Gardner papers, Box M8133, Folder 10.

" data-image-title="M8133_F10_002 copy" data-orig-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8133_f10_002-copy.png" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" width="1080" data-medium-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8133_f10_002-copy.png?w=236" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" data-permalink="https://centerhistorypsychology.wordpress.com/2023/10/19/processing-gardner-papers/m8133_f10_002-copy/" alt="A black and white photograph of an infant chimpanzee. It is an up-close view of the chimpanzee's face and arm." height="1370" srcset="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8133_f10_002-copy.png?w=807 807w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8133_f10_002-copy.png 1080w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8133_f10_002-copy.png?w=118 118w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8133_f10_002-copy.png?w=236 236w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8133_f10_002-copy.png?w=768 768w" class="wp-image-5925" data-large-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/m8133_f10_002-copy.png?w=500" />Infant Tatu, 1976. From the R. Allen and Beatrix T. Gardner papers, Box M8133, Folder 10.

Tatu and R. Allen Gardner, 1978. From the R. Allen and Beatrix T. Gardner papers, Box M8128, Folder 78-7A.

" data-image-title="78-7A-29 copy" data-orig-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/78-7a-29-copy.png" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" width="1521" data-medium-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/78-7a-29-copy.png?w=300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 1521px) 100vw, 1521px" data-permalink="https://centerhistorypsychology.wordpress.com/2023/10/19/processing-gardner-papers/78-7a-29-copy/" alt="A photograph of a man with a moustache wearing a tan hat, tan vest, and plaid shirt is sitting next to a chimpanzee. The man is holding a cup and the chimpanzee is holding bread. They are sitting outdoors." height="1080" srcset="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/78-7a-29-copy.png?w=1024 1024w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/78-7a-29-copy.png 1521w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/78-7a-29-copy.png?w=150 150w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/78-7a-29-copy.png?w=300 300w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/78-7a-29-copy.png?w=768 768w" class="wp-image-5920" data-large-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/78-7a-29-copy.png?w=500" />Tatu and R. Allen Gardner, 1978. From the R. Allen and Beatrix T. Gardner papers, Box M8128, Folder 78-7A.

Dar and human companion, Jim Rimpau, 1978. From the R. Allen and Beatrix T. Gardner papers, Box M8128, Folder 78-1C.

" data-image-title="78-1C-10 copy" data-orig-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/78-1c-10-copy.png" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" width="1526" data-medium-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/78-1c-10-copy.png?w=300" loading="lazy" data-permalink="https://centerhistorypsychology.wordpress.com/2023/10/19/processing-gardner-papers/78-1c-10-copy/" alt="A photograph of a man with dark hair holding a young chimpanzee. They are both wearing red winter coats. There is a blue car in the background and mountains in the distance." height="1080" srcset="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/78-1c-10-copy.png?w=1024 1024w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/78-1c-10-copy.png 1526w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/78-1c-10-copy.png?w=150 150w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/78-1c-10-copy.png?w=300 300w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/78-1c-10-copy.png?w=768 768w" class="wp-image-5919" data-large-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/78-1c-10-copy.png?w=500" />Dar and human companion, Jim Rimpau, 1978. From the R. Allen and Beatrix T. Gardner papers, Box M8128, Folder 78-1C.

Tatu signs “Gimme” to Dar, who drinks from canteen, 1980. From the R. Allen and Beatrix T. Gardner papers, Box M8130, Folder 80-11B

" data-image-title="80-11B-21 copy" data-orig-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/80-11b-21-copy.png" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" width="1556" data-medium-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/80-11b-21-copy.png?w=300" loading="lazy" data-permalink="https://centerhistorypsychology.wordpress.com/2023/10/19/processing-gardner-papers/80-11b-21-copy/" alt="A photograph of two chimpanzees sitting outdoors on yellow leaves. The chimp on the left is holding her hand out toward the other chimp who is drinking from a yellow canteen." height="1080" srcset="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/80-11b-21-copy.png?w=1024 1024w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/80-11b-21-copy.png 1556w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/80-11b-21-copy.png?w=150 150w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/80-11b-21-copy.png?w=300 300w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/80-11b-21-copy.png?w=768 768w" class="wp-image-5922" data-large-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/80-11b-21-copy.png?w=500" />Tatu signs “Gimme” to Dar, who drinks from canteen, 1980. From the R. Allen and Beatrix T. Gardner papers, Box M8130, Folder 80-11B

Dar signing “Food” while looking at a bread slice pictured in a magazine, 1981. From the R. Allen and Beatrix T. Gardner papers, Box M8130, Folder 81-3A.

" data-image-title="81-3A-36 copy" data-orig-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/81-3a-36-copy.png" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" width="1080" data-medium-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/81-3a-36-copy.png?w=212" loading="lazy" data-permalink="https://centerhistorypsychology.wordpress.com/2023/10/19/processing-gardner-papers/81-3a-36-copy/" alt="A photograph of a chimpanzee looking at a magazine. The chimp has his left hand touching his lips. He is in a playroom with a tire swing in the background." height="1528" srcset="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/81-3a-36-copy.png?w=724 724w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/81-3a-36-copy.png 1080w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/81-3a-36-copy.png?w=106 106w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/81-3a-36-copy.png?w=212 212w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/81-3a-36-copy.png?w=768 768w" class="wp-image-5923" data-large-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/81-3a-36-copy.png?w=500" />Dar signing “Food” while looking at a bread slice pictured in a magazine, 1981. From the R. Allen and Beatrix T. Gardner papers, Box M8130, Folder 81-3A.

Processing timeline:

Spring 2022: Donation of 496 boxes from the Gardner estate arrive at the CCHP.  Rhonda Rinehart and Emily Gainer appraise, sort, rebox, and move materials to storage.

September 2022: Emily begins archival processing, which involves organizing, preservation rehousing, and creating a finding aid to make these materials open to researchers.

Winter 2022: Emily identifies series and organizes 300 boxes into those categories. Further appraisal is performed with consultation from Cathy Faye.  Student assistants help with refoldering, labeling, and reboxing materials.

Spring 2023: Series identification and organization continues. Preservation rehousing continues. Jon Endres begins organizing and digitizing approximately 400 reels of film.

Summer 2023: Student assistants begin digitizing and creating metadata for 3,000 photographs and slides. Jon begins assessing electronic files stored on hard drives, USB drives, CD-ROMS and other storage devices.

Fall 2023: Emily organizes the files within each series and arranges them chronologically and/or alphabetically. Emily begins writing the finding aid. Students continue metadata for photographs and slides.

October 2023: The finding aid is complete. Materials are made available and open to researchers.

Emily Gainer begins processing by pulling boxes and identifying the contents.

" data-image-title="EG_boxes_basement" data-orig-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/eg_boxes_basement.jpg" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" width="2048" data-medium-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/eg_boxes_basement.jpg?w=300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px" data-permalink="https://centerhistorypsychology.wordpress.com/2023/10/19/processing-gardner-papers/eg_boxes_basement/" alt="A photograph of a woman with short dark hair standing in front of a shelving unit full of boxes. She is pulling a white box off of the shelf." height="2048" srcset="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/eg_boxes_basement.jpg 2048w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/eg_boxes_basement.jpg?w=150&h;=150 150w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/eg_boxes_basement.jpg?w=300&h;=300 300w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/eg_boxes_basement.jpg?w=768&h;=768 768w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/eg_boxes_basement.jpg?w=1024&h;=1024 1024w" class="wp-image-5929" data-large-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/eg_boxes_basement.jpg?w=500" />Emily Gainer begins processing by pulling boxes and identifying the contents.

Student assistant Dillon Piorkowski rehouses and labels the daily logs of Moja. The original plastic binder is replaced by an acid-free folder.

" data-image-title="Dillon_Moja_logs" data-orig-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/dillon_moja_logs.jpg" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"2.4","credit":"","camera":"SM-G970U","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1664468438","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.3","iso":"200","shutter_speed":"0.025","title":"","orientation":"1"}" width="3024" data-medium-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/dillon_moja_logs.jpg?w=225" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 3024px) 100vw, 3024px" data-permalink="https://centerhistorypsychology.wordpress.com/2023/10/19/processing-gardner-papers/dillon_moja_logs/" alt="A photograph of a male student with short dark hair sits at a desk. He is writing on a folder and holding a teal colored binder." height="4032" srcset="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/dillon_moja_logs.jpg 3024w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/dillon_moja_logs.jpg?w=113&h;=150 113w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/dillon_moja_logs.jpg?w=225&h;=300 225w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/dillon_moja_logs.jpg?w=768&h;=1024 768w" class="wp-image-5928" data-large-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/dillon_moja_logs.jpg?w=500" />Student assistant Dillon Piorkowski rehouses and labels the daily logs of Moja. The original plastic binder is replaced by an acid-free folder.

Student assistant Adam Lapham rehouses and labels hundreds of chimpanzee photographs. The original envelopes are replaced with acid-free folders and paper interleaves.

" data-image-title="Adam_rehousing_photos2" data-orig-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/adam_rehousing_photos2.jpg" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"2.4","credit":"","camera":"SM-G970U","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1666192229","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.3","iso":"200","shutter_speed":"0.025","title":"","orientation":"1"}" width="3024" data-medium-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/adam_rehousing_photos2.jpg?w=225" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 3024px) 100vw, 3024px" data-permalink="https://centerhistorypsychology.wordpress.com/2023/10/19/processing-gardner-papers/adam_rehousing_photos2/" alt="A photograph of a male student assistant with short dark hair in front of a table. The table holds boxes and folders. The student is wearing white gloves and handling photographs." height="4032" srcset="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/adam_rehousing_photos2.jpg?w=768 768w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/adam_rehousing_photos2.jpg 3024w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/adam_rehousing_photos2.jpg?w=113 113w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/adam_rehousing_photos2.jpg?w=225 225w" class="wp-image-5926" data-large-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/adam_rehousing_photos2.jpg?w=500" />Student assistant Adam Lapham rehouses and labels hundreds of chimpanzee photographs. The original envelopes are replaced with acid-free folders and paper interleaves.

Student assistant Wesley Martin creates metadata for about 2,000 photographs relating to the Gardners second chimpanzee study.

" data-image-title="Wes_metadata" data-orig-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/wes_metadata.jpg" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"2.4","credit":"","camera":"SM-G970U","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1691141998","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.3","iso":"250","shutter_speed":"0.016666666666667","title":"","orientation":"1"}" width="3024" data-medium-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/wes_metadata.jpg?w=225" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 3024px) 100vw, 3024px" data-permalink="https://centerhistorypsychology.wordpress.com/2023/10/19/processing-gardner-papers/wes_metadata/" alt="A photograph of a dark haired male student sitting in front of a desk. He is wearing white gloves and handling photographs in a folder." height="4032" srcset="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/wes_metadata.jpg 3024w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/wes_metadata.jpg?w=113&h;=150 113w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/wes_metadata.jpg?w=225&h;=300 225w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/wes_metadata.jpg?w=768&h;=1024 768w" class="wp-image-5932" data-large-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/wes_metadata.jpg?w=500" />Student assistant Wesley Martin creates metadata for about 2,000 photographs relating to the Gardners second chimpanzee study.

Student assistant Maggie Mahaney digitizes and creates metadata for over 700 slides of Washoe.

" data-image-title="Maggie_slides" data-orig-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/maggie_slides.jpg" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"2.4","credit":"","camera":"SM-G970U","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1691147312","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.3","iso":"160","shutter_speed":"0.0089285714285714","title":"","orientation":"1"}" width="3024" data-medium-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/maggie_slides.jpg?w=225" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 3024px) 100vw, 3024px" data-permalink="https://centerhistorypsychology.wordpress.com/2023/10/19/processing-gardner-papers/maggie_slides/" alt="A photograph of a female student with long dark blonde hair is sitting at a desk in front of a computer and scanner. She is handling photographic slides in a small yellow box." height="4032" srcset="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/maggie_slides.jpg?w=768 768w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/maggie_slides.jpg 3024w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/maggie_slides.jpg?w=113 113w, https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/maggie_slides.jpg?w=225 225w" class="wp-image-5931" data-large-file="https://centerhistorypsychology.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/maggie_slides.jpg?w=500" />Student assistant Maggie Mahaney digitizes and creates metadata for over 700 slides of Washoe.

Looking back on this project, it is clear that processing an archival collection of this size and scope is a time-intensive team effort. From accessioning to rehousing, digitizing, organizing, and describing, the entire Archives staff and many student assistants contribute to making the collections we receive every day available to researchers. To access materials in the R. Allen and Beatrix T. Gardner papers, contact our CCHP reference archivist at ahap@uakron.edu.