A New Life for AARSI

From archived interviews and photographs to VHS tapes and books detailing Black settlements across Ohio, the newly reopened African American Research and Service Institute (AARSI) is ready to fulfill its mission: encouraging interdisciplinary and community-based research about the experience of people of African descent; building strategic partnerships across campus, as well as with other institutions and the global community; and conducting primary research on African American culture in rural America, particularly the Ohio River Valley.

Initially established in 2003 but closed since 2010, AARSI reopened last fall with a reading room in 360 Bentley Hall Annex where visitors—community members, faculty and students from all departments—can explore its collection spanning 200 years of history for research, projects, small-group instruction and more.

“We’re not just reviving the past; we’re starting something fresh,” says Gary Holcomb, professor and chair of the African American Studies (AAS) department in the College of Arts and Sciences. The AARSI’s reopening is the product of combined efforts by Holcomb and Andrea Frohne, current AARSI director and professor of African art history in the Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts.

“AARSI was active when I came to OHIO 15 years ago, with its own site in Lindley Hall and a full-time director position. When the funded directorship position was lost and AAS was moved out of Lindley, maintaining the Institute as it was became a challenge,” says Holcomb. “Coming in as AAS chair three years ago, I wanted to help enhance the department's presence, not just with the University community but also with the local and regional Black communities.”

When Frohne, who's done extensive research on Black communities in the region, asked Holcomb about the AARSI archives, Holcomb saw an opportunity: He suggested she explore the materials, knowing they could benefit her research and vice versa. Her immediate interest and excitement sparked their first conversations about reviving the AARSI, with Frohne at the helm.

“Gary is open to dynamic, energizing ways of bringing AAS to the OHIO community,” Frohne says. “After we spoke more and more, we decided that reopening the Institute would be a positive addition to bring back to AAS.”

But bringing back a resource that was closed for 14 years was no easy task.

“The challenge was the relative inactivity of the Institute due to not having a discrete home and funded director,” says Holcomb. “This situation made the collections less accessible than they are now.” Now that AARSI is back up and running, Frohne is spreading the word to students and fellow faculty—and had already piqued interest ahead of its Nov. 1 reopening reception.

“The Institute is almost advertising itself,” Frohne says. “We’ve had Dr. Janice Collins from Scripps come in, and her journalism students are beginning to select projects. Students from Dr. Uzoma Miller’s AAS class spoke with opening reception guests. Dr. Jocelyn Brown from AAS has made plans to use the archives for two of her classes next semester. I’m also the head of the School of Interdisciplinary Arts in the Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts, so I have graduate students working in here, which is another example of the Institute’s cross-college outreach.”

Frohne is also working to develop connections with community organizations, including the Mount Zion Black Cultural Center, Tablertown People of Color Museum, Multicultural Genealogical Center and John Gee Black Historical Center. Eventually, AARSI will support additional research activity through short-term residencies; Frohne also hopes to develop a colloquia series, sponsor research fellowships and more.

The AARSI and its reading room are available by appointment; students, community members and faculty who are interested can contact Frohne to schedule.

Feature photo of Andrea Frohne in the AARSI reading room by Ben Wirtz Siegel, BSVC ’02