History with depth.
Memory with care.
Expert consulting for inclusive, lasting histories and digitally accessible archives.
Snyder Archives
& Research LLC
Dedicated to preserving the past and amplifying the voices often excluded from traditional narratives.
Snyder Archives & Research LLC helps cultural institutions and communities care for their histories with integrity and intention. With a particular focus on freedom struggles and underrepresented communities in U.S. history, Snyder offers archival consulting, historical research, and interpretive planning that prioritizes inclusion, accuracy, and long-term stewardship. Whether you're developing a new archive, seeking clarity in a complex historical record, or rethinking how your organization tells its story — I'm here to help you do it with care.
Specializes in:
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Building archives
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Conducting in-depth historical research
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Digitizing records
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Interpreting collections/research for the public
..all through a lens of care, accuracy, and inclusion.
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Partners with:
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Cultural institutions
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Historic sites
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Nonprofits
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Communities and Individuals
...to uncover, organize, and share complex histories.
Whether consulting on an archive’s long-term strategy, digitizing fragile records, or designing public history tools, the goal is always the same: to support the preservation and visibility of stories that matter.
About Mary Snyder, MLIS
Museum Pracitioner, Information Professional, and Emerging PhD Historian
Mary Snyder (MLIS) is an archival consultant, researcher, and public historian with over a decade of experience advancing inclusive historical practices across museums, cultural institutions, and historic sites. With a background in U.S. history, archival administration, and museum studies, Mary’s work centers on preserving, interpreting, and expanding narratives—particularly those tied to freedom struggles, enslavement, and underrepresented communities.
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Mary has led major projects across the country, including developing the archive of the Whitney Plantation Store (LA), directing digital strategy and storytelling initiatives at the Richard Jenrette Foundation (NC), and researching the lives of enslaved persons for the First Church in Roxbury with support from Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery Initiative. She has worked with historic homes, archaeological collections, institutional archives, and community organizations to design sustainable, ethical, and accessible systems for research, digitization, and interpretation.
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Currently a Ph.D. student in American Studies at Boston University, Mary continues to build partnerships with institutions and communities committed to historical integrity and archival care. She brings both scholarly rigor and practical strategy to every project—ensuring that stories long buried are documented, respected, and remembered.
Education
Ph.D., American Studies
Boston University
Master, Library & Information Science
Archival Certification
Wayne State University
Bachelors of Art, History
University of Michigan
2023- Present
2018-2020
2012-2016
Experience
2024- Present
Whitney Plantation, New Orleans, LA
First Church in Roxbury, Boston, MA
Boston University, Boston, MA
Historic Columbia
Classical American Homes Preservation Trust
Historic Charleston Foundation
Lowcountry Digital Library
The Henry Ford
Monticello, Thomas Jefferson Foundation
University of Michigan Museum of Natural History
University of Michigan Department of Anthropology
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Past (2013-2023)
Current Projects
Building the Archives at Whitney Plantation
Archives & Collection Development
NEW ORLEANS, LA
Led the construction of the Whitney Plantation Store’s archives, organizing a significant body of 20th-century plantation records. The project involved the creation of a customized taxonomy, metadata schema, and cataloging system for financial, payroll, agricultural, and store records spanning 1930 to 1970. Materials were physically processed, digitally organized, and prepared for future public access through a searchable online database and digitization plan. The work supports Whitney Plantation’s broader mission to document the evolution of slavery and its legacies, ensuring long-term access to vital historical evidence.
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In July 2025, Mary Snyder was brought on for phase two work which will include digitizing and making accessible priority records.
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Uncovering Names & Legacies at First Church in Roxbury
Research, Archiving & Interpretation
ROXBURY, MA
Through a Harvard-funded reparative partnership, Snyder Archives & Research is conducting advanced research on individuals enslaved by members of First Church in Roxbury and people of color involved in the church in the early Republic. This work builds on earlier findings to expand the historical narrative from 1631 through 1820, uncovering rich personal details and tracing descendant connections where possible. A comprehensive report and database were developed to support community engagement, future research, and interpretive programming for the meetinghouse's reopening. The project aims to center Black and Indigenous stories within Roxbury’s layered colonial history.
Tracing the Origins of
African American Studies
Archiving, Research, & Interpretation
BOSTON, MA
Under the direction of Dr. Paula Austin, Snyder Archives & Research is conducting original archival research to document the founding and evolution of Boston University’s African American Studies program. The project involves identifying and collecting institutional records, building a historical timeline, and tracing the development of key initiatives, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Center. The research will result in a centralized database and public-facing visual interpretations designed to support departmental storytelling, scholarly engagement, and broader public access to the program’s legacy and impact.
Services
What We Offer
Snyder Archives & Research provides customized support for projects at the intersection of history, memory, and justice. Services are collaborative, detail-oriented, and grounded in archival best practices.
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Archival Consulting
Help organizations build, evaluate, and sustain archives.
Services include:
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Collections assessment and inventories
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Policy and workflow development
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Donor outreach and acquisition planning
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Digitization strategy
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Long-term preservation planning
Historical Research & Interpretation
Condcut deep historical research to support exhibits, grant projects, publications, or internal learning.
Specialties include:
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Black freedom movements in the Midwest and beyond
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Community histories and grassroots activism
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Institutional histories and land use
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Interpretation planning and storytelling tools
Digitization & Access
Bring fragile or hidden materials into public view with care. Services include:
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Digitization planning and metadata support
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Oral history collection and transcription
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Community-driven access design
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Digital exhibits and storytelling platforms
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