Mister Maker Archive
Laila Berri
The archival collections are comprised of institutional records, manuscript collections and assembled collections containing unique, primary source documents as well as other relevant material compiled by the Association's librarians during the course of the last century.
The museum collections include eyeglasses, contact lenses, devices, diagnostic and therapeutic instruments, and other artifacts that interpret the history of eyewear and the optical industry as well as methods of vision testing and care. Our permanent virtual exhibits are galleries of our most unique objects. Our Collections Policy is under review and subject to change.
The Archives & Museum of Optometry's current holdings comprises more than 100 years of archival material and museum objects culled from the International, Library, and Museum of Optometry's collections. Unfortunately, much of this material is in need of conservation and preservation treatment in order to ensure these resources will be accessible to future generations. These projects require significant staff time, expertise, and materials. We encourage you to make a donation to assist us in this effort to preserve the history of the profession and the AOA.
We are working hard to bring this hidden collection into the digital age! Our old card catalog is being converted to an electronic system that will help us to create better finding aids and provide access to our materials. Converting the catalog will allow us to share what we have on our website and to continue to build our collections. We need funds to provide us with storage space, staffing, and equipment.
Our photograph collection is in need of conservation treatment. Many photographs have been stored incorrectly and require flattening and stabilization treatment by a qualified conservator. Only after conservation is performed can preservation techniques be applied to digitize these invaluable historical objects. We need funds to acquire conservation training for our staff and professional treatment for our at-risk photographs.
Even the most stable media, such as printed material, requires specialized housing. The acid in non-archival paper and boxes weakens and damages our paper and print records. The majority of our material is stored in non-archival folders and boxes. Archival storage materials are expensive and need to be rotated periodically. We need funds for housing and rehousing both our print resources and our other objects so that they may be stored in a way that ensures they survive the long haul.
The Archives & Museum of Optometry has thousands of magnetic audiocassettes, VHS tapes, vinyl LPs and even motion picture reels in need of digital conversion. These materials hold conference proceedings, oral histories, public service announcements, press conferences, educational programs and a variety of other unique AOA productions. These media decay rapidly and analog-to-digital conversion is time-consuming and expensive.
The Archival Collections held at the Archives & Museum of Optometry include the Association's institutional records, governance documents, publications and ephemera; state affiliate records, publications, and other material; records and publications from other national optometric associations; and assembled collections on the profession of optometry, public health, government documents, and other disciplines, subjects and organizations of broad interest to optometry.
Within these collections are series of material or types of media, such as photographs, oral histories, film collections and periodicals that may be of special interest to researchers. We are in the process of making these materials available digitally or creating quick-reference lists of our holdings while we construct more detailed finding aids. The Archives also maintains a library of books and other materials that serve as guides to the collections. Materials in the archival collections, in turn, provide reference material for the museum objects.
The AOA records include materials produced in support of the Association's activities from its inception as the American Association of Opticians (1898-1909) and the American Optical Association (1910-1918) through the present. The collection consists of administrative and governance documents such as directories, guides, manuals, meeting minutes, reports, memos, and bulletins. Other mass media and publicity materials, ephemera, educational materials, and internal publications, such as the Journal of the American Optometric Association [Optometry] and the AOA News, are also collected and housed in the Archives. Assembled series of material collected by the International, Library, Archives & Museum of Optometry staff on various topics related to the Association are also included in the AOA records collection.
The AOA Washington Office records are institutional records created in support of the Association's national affairs and advocacy activities. These materials consist of directories, guides, manuals, meeting and conference minutes, reports, bulletins, memos, correspondence, statistics, surveys, patents and copyrights, publications and other material. These records were not originally housed at the Archives, but rather have been transferred in their original arrangement from the Washington office at irregular intervals.
The Archives holds a collection of materials related to state affiliate associations as well as nonaffiliated local optometric associations and societies. These materials include collected administrative and governance records of state affiliates including directories, reports, meeting minutes, correspondence and memos. The collection also includes manuals, guidelines, educational material, newsletters, and other publications as well as materials related to celebrations, awards, councils, committees, congresses, workshops, and other meetings. Records of the State Boards of Examiners in Optometry are also included in this collection.
This collection includes records and other material created by or assembled on national optometric associations, societies, and clubs in the United States. Materials in this collection include histories, directories, awards and fellowships, conference, committee, commission, council, and other meeting minutes and records, curricula, programs, reports, guidelines, statistics, and other documents.
This assembled collection created by the Library staff prior to 2009 includes materials related to the history of optometry and optics. Included in this collection are early periodicals and ophthalmic publications, educational and practice management materials, information on clinics and vision care centers, surveys and statistics, inventions (patents) and original research, personal and professional papers, oral histories, and ephemera such as awards, medals, citations, and honors. Materials documenting the public, private and official positions on optometry, optometric practice, education, ethics, and legislation are also included in this collection.
The International Library, Archives, and Museum of Optometry assembled materials on non-US or international optometric entities including associations, societies, committees, councils, commissions, and clubs as well as schools, clinics and vision centers, and educational institutions. Also included in this collection are publications, materials related to foreign legislation on optometry, and proceedings from international meetings and congresses. ILAMO staff also collected materials on inventors, manufacturers, and distributors of ophthalmic devices and instruments around the world.
This assembled collection includes materials on public health optometry and allied health service professions with an emphasis on theory, practice, research, and policy. ILAMO staff compiled documents and other material created by associations, educational institutions, public health and community health service agencies and organizations representing health care providers. The material in this collection includes reports, studies, theses and dissertations, and other research, monographs, policy documents, legislation, symposia and conference proceedings, manuals and guidebooks, publications, and ephemera. This collection also includes catalogs and historical material on U.S. optical manufacturers and distributors, and scientific optics.
This assembled collection contains a broad selection of materials created by organizations, individuals and other entities involved in a variety of activities related to (non-medical or health-related) natural, social and behavioral sciences, technology, education, religion, philosophy, and philanthropy. Materials selected are of interest to optometry and include standards and guidelines, manuals, publications and manuscripts, and other media dealing with occupational and public health and safety, public education, social analysis and theory, and philanthropic endeavors.
This collection includes government documents related to the practice and regulation of optometry and the provision of optometric services. Documents in this collection were generated by the executive, legislative and judicial branches and their agencies as well as independent, state and local government agencies. Materials in this collection include publications, proposals, manuals, statistics, proceedings and minutes, reports, assessments, testimonies, regulations, and other legislation. Subject areas include health policy, programs, commissions and councils, education and credentialing, labor/manpower, and campaigns.
The Museum Collections held at the Archives & Museum of Optometry represent the history of eyewear, the optical industry, and the American Optometric Association, as well as the changing methods of vision testing and care. Visitors to the AOA headquarters in Saint Louis may view exhibits of selected items from the Museum collection in the first-floor Archives area.
Many interesting items are included in the collection, including eyeglasses, contact lenses, instruments and tools, photographs, and other historical artifacts. Permanent exhibits include several virtual museum galleries listed on the right.
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