Future Projects
Oral Histories
CAMP will continue to explore the many facets of the Minnesota Pagan community through a series of oral history projects. We intend to pursue the history of Druidry and Heathenry in Minnesota. The Reformed Druids of America were formed in 1963 at Carleton College in Northfield, MN. Historically Minnesota has been home to descendants of Germanic and Scandinavian countries. This has grown a community and traditions based in the spiritual beliefs of that region, collectively referred to as Heathenry. By examining these new areas we will expand and diversify the understanding of our collective local community and its connections on a greater scale.
Surveys
Information on the demographics and nature of the Pagan community is sparse and often outdated. In order to best document and serve this community we must first begin collecting information about who, what, and where it is. To do this we will create and disseminate a series of targeted surveys through our website, social media, and in person events. This information will serve as a basis for future research and archival projects, as well as an avenue for direct engagement with the community.
New Alexandria Library Collection
During our work with the Wiccan Church of Minnesota we were able to survey the holdings of the New Alexandria Library (NAL). Closed since 2005 NAL was a subscription library with a mission to create an archive that preserved Pagan history, culture, and heritage. WiCoM has been entrusted with its materials, which have been kept in an outdoor storage unit. Its contents include a selection of books on various Pagan topics, periodicals, and ephemera from the early Twin Cities Pagan community. In order to begin the work of preserving this cultural heritage CAMP will move the collection to new temperature controlled storage, stabilizing its condition with basic preservation measures, and conducting a detailed inventory. By gaining physical and intellectual control of these materials CAMP will be one step closer to making their contents accessible to researchers and our community.
Lady Aura Collection
Lady Aura is a long standing member of the Twin Cities Pagan community, a member of one of its oldest covens, and an early member of the Minnesota Church of the Wicca. She has collected a significant amount of material pertaining to her experience in the Pagan community. Most significantly, a set of cassette tape recordings of lectures given during the 1980’s. Due to the fragile nature of this medium, the cleaning and digitizing of these recordings are a high priority for CAMP’s collection.