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Digital Projects in Special Collections and Archives

Sharing digital projects created by students working with Special Collections archival materials

Digital Projects in Special Collections and Archives

Using digital tools, students can create interactive methods to help Special Collections and Archives explore and learn from primary sources and other material from the archives. We have included below a selection of projects created by students using archival materials. 

Are you interested in creating a project? See a example list of ideas using the University Archives, or contact us at archives@calpoly.edu to chat about your project idea or interests!

Learn more about Special Collections and Archives and explore our Guides: https://guides.lib.calpoly.edu/sca 

Projects with University Archives

Screenshot of "Mapping Activism on Cal Poly's Campus" on Google Maps

Mapping Student Activism at Cal Poly 

  • Tool: Google My Maps
  • Creators: SCA student assistants 
  • Archives data: Student newspaper articles and other research from the University Archives
  • Timeframe: Ongoing
  • Link to map

 

 

"Campus Living: A Journey through 100 years of residential life at Cal Poly," Emma Hayden, March 8, 2021

Walking tour of Residential Life History

  • Tool: ArcGIS StoryMaps
  • Creators: SCA Intern Emma Hayden
  • Archives data: extensive research on campus built history
  • Timeframe: 1 quarter, Winter 2021
  • Link to map

 

 

 

 

"Cal Poly Historical Walking Tour: West Campus," "Welcome to a virtual guided tour of some historic locations in the South-West corner of Cal Poly's campus," Emma Hayden, February 26, 2021

Walking tour: West Campus

  • Tool: ArcGIS StoryMaps
  • Creators: SCA Intern Emma Hayden
  • Archives data: extensive research on campus built history
  • Timeframe: 1 quarter, Winter 2021
  • Link to map

 

 

 

 

Screenshot of building map of Cal Poly's campus.

 

Interactive map timeline of Cal Poly buildings

 

Screenshot of "Mapping the Trees of Cal Poly," highlighting California St. Palm Trees, 1908

Mapping the Trees of Cal Poly

 

Screenshot of "Crowdsourcing University Archives Photos," highlighting image of buildings on campus.

 

Crowdsourcing University Archives Photo pins

 

San Luis Obispo Research

Screenshot of "Views of San Luis Obispo, 1904," highlighting the Ah Louis Store

Views of San Luis Obispo, 1904

 

Screenshot of "1883 San Luis Obispo County," highlighting the Greening Ranch & Residence and Carp Lake

 

1883 San Luis Obispo County

Beyond San Luis Obispo

ArcGIS Story Map: The Forgotten Work of Arthur G. Barton

"The Forgotten Work of Arthur G. Barton," "Landscape architect of Southern California," Ella Ban, July 23, 2020. "An active professional in his field, Barton helped develop the first licensure process for landscape architects and designed over 2000 projects in the course of his career."

  • Tool: ArcGIS Story Maps
  • Creators: Ella Ban, Special Collections and Archives Student Assistant
  • Archives data: Project Index for the Arthur G. Barton Papers
  • Timeframe: Winter Quarter 2020
  • Link to StoryMap

 

ArcGIS Tour Map: William F. Cody, a Desert Pioneer

Screenshot of "ArcGIS Tour Map: William F. Cody, a Desert Pioneer," highlighting Coachella Valley

  • Tool: ArcGIS Story Maps Map Tour
  • Creators: Katie Sheetz, Special Collections and Archives Student Assistant
  • Archives data: Project Index for the William F. Cody Papers
  • Timeframe: Summer 2016
  • Link to map

 

2020 Presentation