Q: Dave, we just returned from the Seattle Fanniversary, and the Archives speaker Justin and the D23 speaker Billy got me thinking about the curatorship each of you have! So how many of you are there? Do you search the country (possibly the world) for Disney artifacts? Are there many items that were given away in the early days that are sought after? Does your team do actual restorations?
Keith, Port Orchard, Washington
A: While the number changes from time to time, there are currently about a dozen people in the Archives/Photo Library. The Archives staff is constantly on the lookout for materials for the collection—some things come on regular distribution lists and others are asked for separately. The Archives has been around long enough that it is well known within the company, and many cast members remember to call the Archives when they become aware of something that might add to the archival collections. There are indeed some items that were given away in the past that today would be kept for the Archives—one example being the camera and camera stand used to film Steamboat Willie. The staff does oversee restoration of fragile items.
Dave Smith