NAME: Luciana Spracher

POSITION: Archivist

INSTITUTION: City of Savannah, Research Library & Municipal Archives

How long have you lived in Savannah and how did you come to live there?

15 years this September! I moved to Savannah to get my undergraduate degree in Historic Preservation from the Savannah College of Art & Design. It was not my intention to stay longer than the required 4 years, but I love Savannah and here I still am. Plus, it’s a great town if you’re interested in history.

What is the focus of the archives where you work?

The City of Savannh’s Library & Archives has three main functions: Municipal Research; Records Management; and Archives. The original mission of this department was to assisst City staff researching municipal issues they were dealing with. Over time, the department has also taken on the role as Records Manager for the City, assisting and training departments in records management principles and practices, administering the City Records Center, and overseeing annual records dispositions according to the State-issued retention schedules. Going hand in hand with that is our Archival collections component through which we house, preserve and describe the City’s archival and historical records, and assist the City staff and the general public in the use of those records.

What is your favorite thing in your holdings?

I’m partial to the Engineering Department’s m,aps, plans and drawings collections which document the growth and development of Savannah and its unique town plan and beautiful buildings.

What aspect of archival work are you most interested in, especially for the future of the profession?

I get great pleasure out of helping people access and use our collections, so anything that furthers that is of interest to me, be it new finding aids, amking collections available online, exhibits, hosting student groups, etc. I enjoy watching people find and discover.

What is you favorite bar or restaurant in Savannah and why?

Savannah is full of both! I don’t have one favorite. Dowtown, I like Saigon (Thai/Vietnamese) on Broughton Street; Olympia (Greek) on River Street; Mistown Sweet Potatoes is good (home cooking) on Water and Eisenhower; Bar Food is new and fun (fusion and tapas) on Habersham Street.

What is the one thing you think all SGAers should do or see in Savannah?

I think you just need to walk the downtown and explore the squares and Forsyth Park, look at the pretty houses and gardens, and browse the local shops on Broughton Street and Bull Street. You can do the tourist circuit and check out River Street, City Market and Tybee Island. We’ve got lots of great museums (visit the Coastal Museums Association website). I particularly like the Owens-Thomas House and Telfair Museum of Art.

*Image courtesy of the City of Savannah, Research Library &Municipal Archives.