Myron House was born June 14, 1951, in New Albany, Indiana. He graduated from Clayton Junior College (AA 1971), Georgia State University (BA in History 1972), Emory University (MA in History 1973), and Atlanta University (MSLS 1979). In 1980 Myron became the first Reference/Special Collections Librarian at West Georgia College (now the University of West Georgia). While at UWG he was in charge of university records, local history materials, rare books, and political collections. He also taught an archives course and practicum as part of the public history program. He was active in SGA, serving as Treasurer and President. In 1998 Myron co-authored a history of the university, a project he and the late Dr. J. C. Bonner had begun in 1983. He retired August 18, 2006, on the 100th anniversary of UWG. Myron and his wife, Jan, currently live in Statesboro, Georgia. Describe how SGA has influenced your development as a professional.One of the first things I did as an archivist was to join SGA. I attended the Archives Institute in 1982. And, of course, through the years I benefited from SGA meetings and workshops and the advice of fellow archivists. What advice would you give a student or individual considering a career in archives?The archives profession is one of the most interesting careers I can imagine. You work with history at a level most historians would envy. Sometimes you have the opportunity to meet the creators of the records you manage and they are often important and always very interesting people. Describe one of your fondest professional memories or a highlight of your career in archives.In January 2003, it fell to me to remove the papers and office of Speaker of the Georgia House Tom Murphy from the State Capitol to UWG. I photographed and videotaped every inch of the office. An architect was brought in to make detailed drawings of the office once it was emptied. Removing Murphy's papers was the easy part. His office was packed full of 30 years' worth of caps, mugs, canes, photos, etc. If Secretary of State Cox had not made pre-arrangements with a fine arts handler, I would not have made it in the ten days allotted for the task. We finished with one day to spare. Today Speaker Murphy's office has been replicated in the library at UWG and is open for viewing. |
