CCAC Closing Statement
In 2019 Preservation Chicago, Dominican University, and the Archivists of Religious Collections began discussing the possibility of developing a multi-faceted archive center in downtown Chicago. Two major buildings owned by the General Services Administration (GSA) that had been vacant for the past 10 years due to their location near the Dirksen Federal Court building were identified as ideal locations for the center. A board of directors was formed and between 2020-2025 the members strived to make the Chicago Collaborative Archives Center (CCAC) a reality.
As with many other archives related organizations, 2025 has been a difficult year for the CCAC. Tumult at the General Services Administration (GSA) and other circumstances beyond our control have placed obtaining either of the buildings we had been pursuing outside of our reach making our vision of opening in 2033 an impossibility. As a result, the repositories, like the Franciscan Central Archives (FCA) that had partnered with us but whose own timelines required we meet that vision had to explore and ultimately commit to other options. While there are other locations within the Chicago metro area that could potentially serve as a home for the CCAC, at this time it felt irresponsible to continue operating in the same way as we have been. While we remain hopeful that a collaborative archive center will become a reality in the Chicago area, we are refocusing our attention on exploring other ways we can serve the archival community.
We would like to take this time to thank all of our partners, volunteers, board members and supporters who strived to make the CCAC's vision a reality with a special thank you to Preservation Chicago, Capri Investment Group, and JLK Architects. Thank you also to those who took the time to learn more about the CCAC through attending webinars, panels, and other presentations. We appreciate your work, interest, and passion on our behalf. We hope you will remain invested in whatever direction the future takes us. May you all find joy in the upcoming holidays and hope and peace in the new year.
On behalf of the CCAC Board
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Holly Fiedler
Archivist
Sisters of St. Francis -- Sacred Heart Province
Denver CO
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