Mapping Memory: The Digital Lifecycle of Architectural Postcards

This presentation shares the digitization, preservation, and exhibition of the Frank Wayde Hall Postcard Collection, a unique archive of over 13,500 postcards documenting architecture and urban life from around the world, with a particular focus on New York City. Acquired by the Architecture Library at The City College of New York in 2016, the collection captures streetscapes, buildings, and skylines that no longer exist, offering rare insights into the evolution of urban environments and the lived experiences of city residents. The project, led by the Chief Architecture Librarian, combined archival scholarship, technical digitization, and public exhibition to make these ephemeral materials accessible to researchers, students, and the public. In collaboration, the team addressed both curatorial and technical challenges, including metadata creation, digital stewardship using JSTOR and Omeka platforms, and the translation of a complex archival collection into an engaging online exhibit. By integrating conceptual research leadership with hands-on technical execution, this presentation demonstrates how digitization projects can transform historical collections into accessible, impactful resources for both academic and public audiences.