|
Many people have been asking for an update on Meher Archive. What's going on with the Red Oak School rehab? What's new in the archive?  Uncovered stage at Red Oak Jeannie Felknor Sets The Stage: “The ‘play’ is called Meher Archive Collective at the Red Oak school. I think that in this whole world the most important thing is to remember Meher Baba. Sometimes I can’t believe that we get the opportunity to contribute to this creative project - helping to rehab this old school knowing that in the future his precious things will be held, preserved and archived in the most caring way. His book, God Speaks, and many other books, will be in the library where people can come and sit and read in a comfortable space.” Jeannie Sees into the Future… “There is a room where people come and look at things He touched, things He wore, a chair He sat in while visiting with his lovers, hair given to us from His Mandali who loved Him so much and understood so well who He was, that they saved every hair that they possibly could and shared it with us!" Jeannie’s Message... “I believe it is up to us to share what we have with anyone who would care to partake. So, even though Spring has not yet fully arrived, I’m still having so much fun being a part of this story and this cast of characters. Every day more and more things get accomplished in Meher Baba ‘standard time’. Sometimes really fast, sometimes slow. I’m grateful to be a part of this cast of characters that Baba has put together - I like the set very much and the story is fantastic!” Thank you Jeannie for your hard work, dedication, unending enthusiasm, organizational skills, and, of course, your unique sense of humor! Many hundreds of hours have been given to MAC by a committed team of volunteers; without Jeannie’s inspiration and ongoing coordination, we would not be where we are today. A huge amount of renovation is taking place including tearing out old rotted timbers, bad flooring, old ceilings, and much more in preparation for fixing the plumbing, roof, and electrical! More on this next time. Consider donating to keep the work going.
News from the Archive
From Elaine Cox: 3rd excerpt from Adi - letter to Beryl Williams (New York), from Adi K. Irani: 5/5/55 Baba further explained that nothing other than these three in descending grade has real spiritual value: (1) obedience to the Master, (2) Love of God which is a gift given, and could hardly be developed and (3) Selfless Service. Families at Meher Archive at Red Oaks By Renee Bussanich Many possibilities are being envisioned at the new MAC building and having a welcoming space for families is an important piece of this vision. MAC has ample space, both indoors and outdoors, and we are looking forward to being the perfect location for family and community oriented gatherings and events. We would love to see the soccer field area used for Baba community family gatherings with picnics and games, possibly volleyball or softball. How about a croquet tournament or badminton? Or an old fashioned field day and ice cream social? Once the indoor area is renovated and ready, the gym will be a great option for indoor volleyball and other physical activities, as well as the ideal space for community gatherings such as music events and parties. In addition, we are considering a playground structure in front of the building and a dedicated childcare area inside making it possible for parents to have some childfree time with MAC. We invite you to be a part of this evolving project that is the Meher Archive Collective and we welcome your input and ideas as the vision evolves. If you have not already visited our website, please click here. Meanwhile, watch this space for updates and ongoing news!
 By Jean Brunet Our caretaker's cottage, aka Meher Cottage, is now cleaned, restored and anticipating the arrival of our caretakers. After many weeks of tireless volunteer work, the cottage has been cleaned and repaired, the floors refinished and completely repainted inside and out, in other words, it has been refurbished! Gay & Greg Dunn have graciously consented to be our first caretakers and we are anxiously awaiting their arrival from California soon. Bushes and flowers have been planted and everything is now ready for our caring couple arriving shortly to begin their duties of looking after MAC’s property. Meher Archive Collective is building bridges between archives, historians, seekers, and those who wish to see Meher Baba's legacy preserved for all time. From discovering material to preserving, scanning, cataloging, and sharing words, sounds, and images relevant to Meher Baba's advent and ministry, our growing network of volunteers and staff are working towards a global goal. Join us in the ongoing efforts of expanding a “brick and mortar” and digital library of permanently secured archival material in the Western world, with the goal of preserving Meher Baba's profound legacy. Do you feel inspired to join us at MAC? Whether you live locally and have a few hours to spare, regularly or ad hoc, or you’re visiting Asheville for a week or two and would like to hang out with us for a couple of hours - there’s bound to be something you can do to help, and you’re always welcome!
If you’re currently without free time or you live far away, perhaps you’re in a position to support us financially? if you would like to find out more please go to the “donations” page on our website here. Otherwise feel free to contact us here. Thank you - your help and support is appreciated! Please consider a year-end gift to MAC. Contributions to our Capital Campaign, as well as individual donations and recurring monthly contributions, can be set up our Donations Page. All contributions are tax deductible. We need significant funds for the upgrade and restoration of the Red Oak School building as well as for supplies and equipment for archiving work. A recent example of where contributions can take on a specific forward-thinking task:  Solar Roof Project As we continue to assess the best way to restore the roof of the Red Oak School building, the option to become more self sustaining and thrifty by making use of tax rebates for photovoltaic solar panels is being explored. An estimate of a 32 killowatt system would cost $73K and recieved a tax rebate of $22K. So for approximately $51K, the building could not only have back-up power, but pay for the bulk of its electrical costs for decades to come. If you would like to support MAC and its vision, please donate today or email Scott@meherarchive.org to discuss how you would like to participate. Fun with Baba Photos
 Print has tear / crease running diagonally.  Removing the crease in Photoshop.  Removing more scratches. Then Straightening / Cropping and tone adjusting. Note: There are probably better copies of this print in other collections that don't need restoration, but this belonged to Jean Adriel so it has its own historical context. This partial restoration is just an example of what can be done to enhance damaged images. Even this one could use more dust clean-up to make it perfect. Sometimes these exercises are just another way to get closer to Baba...)  Bulletin from Meher Archive Collective, Asheville, NC #1 - December 2018  MAC at Red Oak. In August 2018, MAC found a home! Constructed in 1928, the former Red Oak School is a solid, brick-built, essentially fireproof structure - perfect for housing Baba’s invaluable treasures and documents. Work has begun… MAC’s priority is to build an archival vault. While this is ongoing, evaluation and remediation of HVAC, plumbing and electrical has begun, and essential repairs to the roof are underway. Plans for the future:
 Since August, over 1200 volunteer hours have been logged. The generous donation of time and talent from many dedicated individuals has allowed for demolition, discovery and initial repairs to the main building, as well as a complete transformation, both inside and out, of the caretakers cottage, now known as Meher Cottage. The value of this work to date is estimated at $75,000.
We need your help…Do you live locally and have time on your hands? Or are you planning a visit to the Asheville area, maybe to spend time with friends from the Baba community? Whether your passion is construction, cleaning windows, learning archiving skills or yet to be discovered, there are numerous ways in which you can support MAC through donating your time, talent and treasure. Please email Ken@meherarchive.org if you have construction skills to offer or if you’d like to enquire about volunteering. Dedicated volunteers continue essential archiving work at MAC’s temporary Golf Street office.On Wednesday afternoons, Elaine Cox supervises the preservation of documents; on Friday afternoons, Eruch and Scott oversee the scanning of letters and other paper documents. If you would like to learn more about the art and craft of archiving, and are interested in becoming a volunteer, please call Elaine on (908) 887-0037.  Elaine Cox placing letter into Mylar sleeve. Please consider a year-end gift to MAC. Contributions to our Capital Campaign, as well as individual donations and recurring monthly contributions, can be set up here. All contributions are tax deductible. We continue to need funds for the upgrade, restoration and ongoing maintenance of the Red Oak School building as well as for supplies and equipment for archiving work. If you would like to discuss how you may be able to support MAC and its vision, please email Scott@meherarchive.org
Meher Archive Collective
Dedicated to collecting, preserving and sharing Meher Baba’s Divine Legacy of materials, artifacts and words with integrity, love and transparency for the benefit of humanity. Great News! - The Meher Archive Collective has secured the Red Oak School property!   By Baba’s Grace, this first phase has been achieved through dozens of heartfelt donations, along with an intense process of renegotiation with the sellers, which resulted in a reduction of the purchase price from $725,000 to $550,000 and a closing date of August 17th. Baba has begun to turn the key! With this exciting news, we are jumping into the next phase of our capital campaign. Our overall fundraising goal remains the same, and this next phase will require $700,000 in order to proceed with planned renovations in as timely and cost-effective manner as possible. This work includes immediate repairs to the roof as well as bringing essential systems (including HVAC, electrical and plumbing) up to required standards. For those of you attending the Asheville Music Sahavas this weekend, we are organizing a tour of the property on Sunday afternoon at 2:30. If you are interested, there will be a sign-up sheet at the Sahavas. There will also be other opportunities to have a tour if you are not able to make this one. Thank You to all who have helped reach this important first step! We invite you to share this exciting news and sincerely hope that many more people will participate in the next step toward realizing MAC’s vision (whether through a direct donation to the building fund, a recurring monthly donation, or the contribution of services). Beloved Meher Baba Ki Jai! In His Love and Service, Scott Meher Archive Collective www.meherarchive.org MAC Board of Directors Hugh Huntington Renee Bussanich Ken Blackman Jean Brunet Ludwig Scott Tower Maloney Executive Director Eruch Adams For further details on this great building project, click here.
To help with planned upfits see our Donation Page. By Scott Tower Maloney  Dear Baba family, Important Update on Meher Archive Collective and the purchase of the Red Oak School. We are pleased to report we have received dozens of loving donations, some substantial, toward the purchase of the Red Oak School. We are still well short of the funds needed to secure this property. Fortunately, the closing has been extended to August 31st, and our deadline for receiving the needed funds is now Aug 14th. This is a very short window of time and we are reaching out to ask for your support. We have also created alternative structures for funding from larger donors (please contact me for more details). This is an important opportunity and we need your participation to make it happen. If you have already contributed to this effort, thank you for your support; please share your enthusiasm with others. If you have not yet become involved, NOW is the time to do so. Contributions can be made via our website meherarchive.org, or via mail to Meher Archive Collective, PO Box 18908, Asheville, NC 28814. Please contact Jean Ludwig if you would like to discuss the details of your participation jean@meherarchive.org 828-412-3454.
Answers to Important Questions:1. Why Asheville and Why the Red Oak School property? The Asheville area is a logical location for a major archive in the US. It is an environmentally and geologically stable area, free from the threats of forest fires (regionally extremely rare), hurricanes, flooding and coastal erosion, earthquakes & tornados. Asheville has one of the largest, and fastest growing Baba communities in the US. We have the people to do the work – this is a Collective effort and requires the efforts of a large group. The Red Oak school is built to last, non-combustible, ready for immediate use as well as for gradual expansion of Archival work and secure storage. Additional benefits of low cost per square foot and income potential to help support the archive. For those who have not seen it, I am attaching Ty Provosty’s exhaustive analysis of the property and its suitability for MAC’s purpose – the last 3 pages (p46-p48) offer a concise summary. 2. Why another archive? Because there is a huge volume of material that needs to be preserved and shared with the world. Teams are needed to find, clean, rehouse, scan, catalog, and share this material. 3. Aren’t you creating competition with other existing archives? No. MAC has great respect and appreciation for all the work being done elsewhere. We do not see MAC in competition with any other archive. We are not taking anyone else’s piece of the pie - there is no shortage of work to be done. We feel compelled to address the urgent need to preserve the large volume of Baba material in the West that is currently at risk of loss or deterioration. MAC is creating a structure to do as much of this work as possible, and as soon as possible. We are also dedicated to sharing the material that can be digitized with the widest possible audience. MAC is not about ownership, but about preservation and sharing. 4. Why should Baba lovers who don’t live locally contribute to an Asheville project? The impact of this project is not limited to Asheville. It is nationally significant in its intention to be a safe place for North American collections, and globally significant because preserving Meher Baba’s archival legacy is a global effort that only becomes more complete through international cooperation. Digital archiving and database work can be done cooperatively from anywhere with a trained work group. The value of this project is not only immediate, it is for all of our children, grandchildren, their grandchildren and generations to come. 5. Is there a residential component to MAC’s use of the Red Oak School? No. While there are possibilities for future residential development of nearby property, this is not being considered in the Red Oak School. 6. Isn’t an archive just a storage vault? Many people are under the assumption that an archive is simply a sturdy building in which to store precious items. MAC is building more than a VAULT – we’re building a WORKING GROUP which can pool resources into preservation, learning opportunities, and information sharing—all of which leads to the Legacy of the Avatar being available to a wider audience. 7. Will MAC ever sell or auction off items to raise money? No. We will never sell or auction off any unique Baba treasures for any reason. We already have a succession plan in place. We will also honor the wishes of anyone who entrusts items into MAC’s care, including keeping them in the West, and time-sensitive sharing. 8. How will people have easy access to Baba treasures and information? A growing number of people have said they would like to entrust their collections to MAC. Nearly all of them have expressed a preference for their Baba treasures to be seen and enjoyed rather than locked away. We pledge to create a safe archival space as well as a meditation / museum room. In addition, MAC’s vision includes online access to its material as well as a research library - available in person and remotely - providing public access to Meher Baba’s life and work from anywhere in the world. IN SUMMARY:
We urgently need your help as time is short for us to secure the Red Oak School. Please support this important project to the greatest extent you are able! Contributions can be made via our website meherarchive.org or by mail to Meher Archive Collective, PO Box 18908, Asheville, NC 28814 Meher Archive Collective is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization Feel free to contact me personally (scott@meherarchive.org or 828-290-6972) or any of the other board members if you have questions. In His Love and Service, Scott Meher Archive Collective www.meherarchive.org Board of Directors Hugh Huntington Renee Bussanich Ken Blackman Jean Brunet Ludwig Scott Tower Maloney Executive Director Eruch Adams MISSION: To collect, preserve, and share Meher Baba’s Divine legacy of materials, artifacts, and words with integrity, love, and transparency Ty Provosty's feasibility Analysis Review for the Red Oak School. 
Dear WNC Baba family and Baba friends all over - Jai Baba! I’m touching base today about the RED OAK SCHOOL proposal for Meher Archive Collective. Here’s some history and reasons Peter and I feel so supportive of these efforts. A sad tale: Baba’s Hair and nails – stolen! A few years ago we were robbed in a home invasion while we were away. The thief got away with priceless treasures – Baba’s hair and nails! Since then, other dear Baba lovers gave us more of Baba’s hair and we keep this in a very good hiding spot, but how good? Today I confirmed that we can store a few of our precious mandali items, and Baba’s hair, in the MAC vault for safe keeping. In the next few months, Peter and I will finalize our will and plans for Baba’s precious items given to us by the mandali, and by other Baba people who left these items to us thru their final wishes. WNC - great area, wonderful building! Over the last twenty years the Baba group in AVL has become one of the largest community groups outside of India. Many of us have the energy and experience to contribute to this important work of archiving. Important materials have been coming to individuals and to MAC in natural ways and we feel the responsibility to handle these things properly. This area seems to be relatively free from the potential of natural disasters or climate issues that could be destructive to these artifacts. This amazingly solid, large brick school building presents a great opportunity to provide a long term facility to pursue the archival effort. With creative use of zones in the space, (MAC, rental of office spaces of compatible organizations, and event space) it could potentially support itself financially without being a burden or drain on its supporters. But whether the Red Oak School proposal goes through or not, Peter and I are making our commitment to the much needed archive work that the Meher Archive Collective has already begun. We took a step: Today we finally made a pro-active financial step towards the Meher Archive Collective’s RED OAK SCHOOL proposal. We made our pledge online and I’m also going to send a smaller check to go in the coffers now. July 10th is the upcoming deadline for knowing if the school purchase will happen or not. Before taking these actions, I spoke with several board members who happily explained things to me. I found out how few people like Peter and I, had actually hit the ‘pledge’ button. They confirmed that the larger pledge amount will go into a dedicated archive building account only. Rescue - preserve - share - support: The MAC goals are really wonderful. Besides rescuing, preserving, and sharing precious Baba artifacts and writings, I love that the MAC objectives include supporting people with their personal collections and also other Baba archiving endeavors. I can’t wait to see what unfolds as Baba leads the way. We all do our best, but the results are always His. And that’s a huge relief! In His love, Debbie See pictures, reports, and a fly over video on the Red Oak School page: Archive Building Make a donation or a pledge at the bottom of this page:Archive Building  By Scott Tower Maloney “Be true to the Trust I repose in you and remember Me wholeheartedly.” This is a follow up to my recent email about the Meher Archive Collective (MAC) Many years ago, I was grateful for the opportunity to work in the free clinic at Meherazad. The experience of working alongside Dr Goher, doing what felt like Baba’s work, was pivotal for me. I was inspired by Goher’s example of giving all her efforts to Baba and leaving the results to Him. Fast forward to today and I find I resonate deeply with the vision of MAC; I am grateful for another opportunity to be of service to Baba, and to contribute both time and financial resources. For those of you unfamiliar with MAC and the work it has already done, please visit the website. Our Motto is simple: RESCUE – PRESERVE – SHARE In my last email, I mentioned that MAC had identified a site for the archive and I am excited to share more details with you here.  RED OAK SCHOOL PROPERTY: The site was originally known as the Red Oak School in Weaverville, NC. It was designed in 1928 by the architect Ronald Greene, who also designed the iconic Jackson Building and Stephens Lee High School in downtown Asheville. It is sited on six flat acres on a hilltop and provides space that is well suited for both the immediate and long-term needs of a permanent archive. This site provides all that we are looking for and more, including:
Benefits to World-Wide Baba Community The Red Oak School would give visitors a facility for the following purposes:
Professional Assessment Peter Nordeen and Ty Provosty have scrutinized the building, and both are enthusiastic about its quality and value. For a more complete assessment of the property and its suitability for a permanent archive space, please see both Peter and Ty’s extensive comments and analysis on our website (Ty’s report contains a summary on the last three pages). MISSION OF MEHER ARCHIVE COLLECTIVE: To collect, preserve, and share Meher Baba’s Divine legacy of materials, artifacts, and words with integrity, love, and transparency for the benefit of humanity. If you feel inspired, as I do, by this mission and its realization, here is how you can become involved:
The purchase price of this property is $725,000, and it requires $475,000 for needed improvements.This work would make the entire building usable and enable our model of a sustainable archive to flourish.
In order to move ahead with this project, we need to raise sufficient funds, or pledges, by July 10th, 2018. Our offer on this property is a cash–on-closing commitment, with a closing in early August. We realize this is a short time-frame, but it is what Baba has given us, and we know that if this is something that He wants to happen, it will. We are delighted to announce that before officially launching our fundraising, we have already received pledges from two donors totaling $150,000. This represents one eighth of our total goal! Here is a just one of numerous scenarios that will enable us to reach this goal: 5 contributions of $100,000 500,000 1 pre-committed $100,000 5 contributions of $50,000 250,000 1 pre-committed $50,000 20 contributions of $10,000 200,000 20 contributions of $5,000 100,000 25 contributions of $2,500 50,000 30 contributions of $1,000 30,000 50 contributions of $500 25,000 100 contributions of $250 25,000 200 contributions of $100 20 ,000 Total funds needed $1,200,000 Total pre-committed $150,000 We invite you to join us in this important project by participating to the greatest extent you are able. The time is now and the need is urgent. It is our goal for as many people to participate as possible, and all levels of support are welcome. If you would like to receive more information, or to discuss the details of your support, please contact Jean Brunet Ludwig directly: jean@meherarchive.org (828) 412-3454 Contributions and pledges can be made via our website (Scroll to bottom of this page here), or by personal check (preferred for larger donations), mailed to: Meher Archive Collective, P.O. Box 18908, Asheville, NC 28814. As a 501(c)3 organization, all contributions to MAC are tax-deductible. By Baba’s Will, this endeavor will outlive us, our children, and our grandchildren. We are at a crucial moment in the preservation of material connected to Baba and His Advent, and this archive can play a role in humanity maintaining access to the Avatar as Meher Baba. If it is His wish to establish a permanent archive on this site, He will turn the key; we are placing that outcome in His hands. This is an opportunity for each of us to contribute to His ongoing Legacy. We invite all Baba lovers to consider this opportunity. In His love and service, Scott Meher Archive Collective Board of Directors Hugh Huntington - hugh@meherarchive.org Renee Busanich - renee@meherarchive.org Ken Blackman - ken@meherarchive.org Jean Brunet Ludwig - jean@meherarchive.org Scott Tower Maloney - scott@meherarchive.org Executive Director Eruch Adams - eruch@meherarchive.org By Scott Tower Maloney  Mayme Kramer - Early 50's While some of you are already familiar with Meher Archive Collective (MAC) and its vision, I would like to introduce myself and share my passion for this exciting Baba project. Some of you know me as Scott Tower, others as Scott Maloney in the past. I would like to share a story, one of precious things lost and others found. My grandmother, Mayme Kramer, met Baba in Myrtle Beach in 1958. I don’t know much more than she accepted Him as the Avatar, and had a picture of Him in her library. Mayme lived in New York and I have heard that she attended the Monday night meetings there. I know that she was involved with sending medicine to India, and in one of the films of Baba’s visit to Myrtle Beach in ’58, she crosses briefly in front of the camera. Mayme died when I was 12, and when her house was cleared out, everything connected to Baba was discarded. Either no-one knew its importance, or perhaps they were happy to see it go. Only later would I feel the loss. As my personal connection to Baba crystallized in my mid 20s, I realized that we are living in those same early days of an Avatar’s advent that I had been drawn to study in college. I became interested in early Christianity because I wanted to get closer to what really happened in those early years, what was the real story of Jesus at the time? My connection to Baba is rooted in stories. Many of us have had the great fortune to have known and spent time with the Mandali. For me, the essence of that gift was a combination of their individual presence and example, and their stories. They freely shared the flavor of their lives with Baba with all who came, and consequently we received some of the divine aroma of His Presence. The great blessing of such personal contact will not be there for the generations that follow us. Soon, others will have to rely on those stories that are preserved and shared. I feel deeply the importance of preserving Baba stories and records, for my family, and also for future generations. I wish I knew more about Mayme’s experience, I wish I knew her Baba story. This is one of the reasons I am passionate about MAC and its vision; I don’t want others’ stories to be lost and unavailable to their children, grandchildren or to the larger world. Fast forward nearly fifty years from my grandmother’s passing. While volunteering at MAC, not just as a board member, but actually getting my hands on the Fredella Winterfeldt collection, I happened upon a letter from Goher to Ella. It being my first day, I made the newbie mistake of trying to read each document (there really isn’t time for this). But this time I would be rewarded beyond expectation. I found a reference to my grandmother in a postscript from Mani. It was short, sweet and I am likely the only living person for whom it has meaning. I felt a twinkle in Baba’s eye, and a deeper connection with Mayme.  Excerpt from letter from Goher to Ella, 1959 Beyond this personal experience, I have been deeply moved by the intimacy of the contents of this collection, especially the calm intensity of Mehera’s love for her Beloved that emerges from the small details she relates in her letters. I know that the growing number of volunteers are also touched by their experience and by the opportunity to help with this work. The archive will have to be a large group effort, one that I believe will actively foster community both through volunteers working together for Baba and through the global sharing of archival material online. Like many people, my family and I were drawn to Asheville without a clear rational reason. We felt attracted in part by the Baba community and, on our first visit, it immediately felt like home, in a way that reminded me of Nanaker’s “Welcome Home” hug on my first time at Baba’s Samadhi. Why are so many Baba lovers moving to this area? Asheville is quickly becoming a major Baba hub, with its Music Sahavas and a growing number of Baba transplants, events and visitors. The Asheville area is ideally suited as a safe and secure location for a permanent archive due to its moderate climate, and absence of environmental risks (such as earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, changing sea levels and frequent forest fires). The large and growing Baba population also provides a crucial volunteer base for an archive. As many of you may remember, Filis Frederick said that there should be a Baba archive somewhere in the mountains of North Carolina. Confident that the Asheville area is perfect for a permanent archive site, MAC has been looking to build or buy a suitable space. We have found an existing building that meets or exceeds all of the criteria we have established. These include accessibility, a fireproof structure that is built to last, opportunity for gradual expansion and income potential. The cost per square foot is also a fraction of the cost to build from scratch. Peter Nordeen and Ty Provosty (an accomplished architect who is working on Baba’s tower in Meherabad) have both looked carefully at the building, and are enthusiastic about its quality, value and suitability.  Red Oak School I have been inspired by the vision of MAC to preserve, and also freely share, the stories connected to artifacts, documents, photos and other media related to Baba. Once preserved, these will serve as an invaluable vehicle of connection to Baba and His Advent for years to come. The time for this is NOW as those with firsthand stories and collections are getting older, and in many cases the physical material is in urgent need of preservation.
We are very excited about the possibility of acquiring this building and land to secure a home for a Meher Baba Archive in the Asheville area. We will be sharing more details with you in the next few days. Stay tuned… In His love and service, Scott Meher Archive Collective www.meherarchive.org MAC Board of Directors Hugh Huntington Renee Busanich Ken Blackman Jean Brunet Ludwig Scott Tower Maloney Executive Director Eruch Adams 
MAC Newsletter #1 Spring, 2018. Edited by Susan McKendree. Content supervisor: Renee Bussanich. Layout by Eruch Adams
 Elaine Cox trains Scott Tower in the art of "rehousing".
UPDATE FROM THE ARCHIVES
by Eruch Adams Since October of 2017, Meher Archive Collective has launched its training for the proper care for physical “paper” archives, also called “rehousing.” We have been collaborating with Marshall Hay’s heirs to rehouse and scan a large collection of Fred and Ella Winterfeldt’s letters, documents, photo prints and slides. So far we have completed cleaning the documents and rehousing them in acid-free folders, between sheets of acid-free paper or archival-grade non-reactive polyester film called melenix or mylar. The plastic sheets were used for the more precious original letters from Mehera Irani, Mani Irani, Adi K. Irani and Elizabeth Patterson, as well as letters and notes dictated by Meher Baba (usually via one of the mandali). This has been a huge undertaking involving more than ten volunteers who have worked once or twice a week. Currently we are focusing on sorting the documents and arranging them in chronological order in preparation for scanning and filing in archival boxes. Additionally, four carousels of slides have been scanned, encompassing slideshows of The Three Incredible Weeks, Baba’s trips to America in 1956 and 1958, the East-West Gathering, and a mixed show of the 1969 Darshan and other trips to India. These are in various stages of age deterioration or have suffered other damage, so they will be made available over a period of time.
Another seventy or so photo prints have been scanned, mainly of Baba, but the photo collection also includes some charming personal photos of Fred, Ella and some of their New York friends.
The next stage of scanning the documents will be a lengthy process, but at that point the collection will be digitally preserved and neither fire nor flood can make it vanish. After the materials have been called they will be digitally catalogued, documenting dates, who sent or created the material, to whom it might have been given or for whom it was created, and subject matter. At that point the collection can be shared online. The FredElla Collection is a perfect test case for many of the unarchived Baba collections still at large or in some partial state of completion. Cataloguing and preserving this collection is a multi-stage task, as well as time consuming, but in the final analysis—given that it documents the life and work of Avatar Meher Baba, no amount of time or effort can exceed the value of its preservation for the sake of posterity. 
Beryl Williams, Ella Winterfeldt, and unknown woman at the beach on or before 1958.
WHAT’S COMING UP AT MAC
MAC at the Southeast Gathering April 12 - 15th: Look for both a presentation (Saturday at 10 am) and a demonstration Friday around 11 am) on the schedule, with some interesting reveals from the archival work we are doing. The MAC board will be showing the work progress and will also be available for your questions. Elaine Cox and Jean Ludwig will be showing you how to take care of valuable materials you have at home in their break out session. If you are going, you won’t want to miss these! Archiving your treasures at home: Mac is working with Elaine to produce a video of how to take care of your precious letters and photos in your homes to preserve and protect for posterity. This video, which will be available on our website and shared at the SEG, will tell you about materials and simple effective ways you can make sure your treasures will not deteriorate. We will discuss also how to ensure that Meher Baba’s history and stories are preserved. Mandali letters and notes: There are so many incredibly inspiring and loving letters sent from the Mandali in India and we would love to post as many as possible for everyone’s benefit. We will be adding this feature to our website and letting you know how to submit all or parts of your letters in the near future. What a blessing these messages were and will continue to be for all the Baba community. Updates in the office: A fireproof safe is on the way. We are expanding existing office space by converting a steel and masonry garage into a fire resistant archival vault. Though we are still limited on working space for volunteers, this expansion gives MAC the ability to take on take on 8-10 times more archival material than we currently house. We are continuing to grow and develop this community project that we all feel is so important: to Rescue, Preserve, and Share! Ty Provosty, architect: Ty is consulting with the Board on land and building feasibility. We are continuing to look for suitable spaces and building options and are excited to be working with him on these projects. He brings to MAC an impressive background and extensive expertise and we are grateful for his guidance. 
"Eleven Men with One Heart”
The All-Rounder of All-Rounders Blesses the Indian Cricketers By Susan McKendree On April 2, 1959, a rather unusual group of darshanites entered the gates of Guruprasad in Poona, India, to receive Meher Baba’s blessings, at the request of the secretary of the Poona Cricket Association, M. G. Bhave. The Indian cricket team was preparing to travel to England for a series of test matches, the first they had played there since 1952, and the “All-Rounder”1 of all-rounders gave them a proper sendoff.2 Four newspaper articles from the FredElla [Fred and Ella Winterfeldt] Collection, currently undergoing cataloguing and rehousing, document the occasion. Two were published in The Poona Daily News, one by Poona’s Times of India News Service, and the story was picked up by The Sunday Standard in Delhi. Unsurprisingly, the articles vary in tone and accuracy. The two shortest articles are entitled “Team Blessed by Meher Baba” and “Meher’s Blessing to the Cricketers,” published by The Times of India News Service of Poona and in the The Poona Daily News respectively. While the piece in The Times refers to Baba as “the Avatar,” the second calls Him as the “owatar.”4 The The Daily News observes, “Meher-Baba [sic] and cricket would seem a far cry, but . . . good old cricketing fans could well remember Baba’s exploits on the field.”5 The Poona Daily News “Sportfolio” section included a piece called “An Hour with Meher Baba - A Sportsman and a True Lover of Sport,” accompanied by the byline Mr. “A. David.” Containing few quotes from Baba’s comments to the team, the article focuses on His remarks to the reporters. It refers to Him as “Meher,” as well as “the Baba,” and is accompanied by a group photo of the team with Baba seated in the center front.3 But by far the most engaging of the four articles is “A Silver Lining,” published in Delhi’s weekly Sunday Standard. 
THERE is a silver lining to every cloud, and India’s band of cricketers to tour England from this month, damned and demoralised by the pinpricks and brickbats of a host of armchair critics, could not have asked for a better silver lining than the one they saw on the dark horizon on April 2 in Poona.
Meher Baba, the Zoroastrian holy man, reversed [sic] by all castes and creeds in Western India, succeeded in doing something for the team that neither the training camp in Poona nor the pep talks of harassed officials could achieve — close knit team spirit and confidence. Many of the seventeen bound for England when told that Meher Baba wanted to see them . . . were rather skeptical, and only went to see the holy man to humour him. But the skeptics felt otherwise when they left his presence.6 The team’s arrival was delayed by medical examinations, so the newspaper reporters gathered to document the meeting took the opportunity to ask some questions of Baba. He told them about of His life-long love of the game, which he had played at St. Vincent’s High School and Deccan College, and how He now attended as many matches as He could. He also revived the story of Yusuf Baig, the Poona all-rounder who famously challenged Baba to bowl to him and “learned to his great mortification that he had been stumped and that Meher [sic] had won the challenge.”7 When the cricketers arrived Baba blessed and embraced each player, after which Eruch read His message aloud to them: In going to England to represent India in the field of sport you have the unique opportunity of practising and conveying to the people there the great spiritual lessons of concentration and love. When you take the field, if you play as eleven men with one heart, each enjoying the excellence of performance in another player as he would in himself, whether that player is of your side or of the opposing team, and so eliminating feelings of jealousy, anger and pride, which so often mar sport, you will not only be entertaining the spectators but be demonstrating the real spirit of sportsmanship. True sportsmanship is concentrated ability enlivened by sincere appreciation of the performances of others. And when this is manifested, everyone, both players ands spectators, receive spiritual upliftment as well as good entertainment. Some of you are allrounders. I am a spiritual allrounder. I feel equally at home with saints, yogis, philosophers and cricketers, as well as with sinners and scoundrels. I give you my blessing that in all your actions you show the spirit of love.8 After the message was read Baba presented each player with a copy of Life at its Best and embraced each man one more time. The unfortunate postscript to the story of Meher Baba’s meeting with the cricketers is that the team lost all five test matches against the British players. In fact, the Indian cricketers had an abysmal year altogether, winning just six matches, losing 11, and drawing (unable to finish) 16 of the remaining 33 games. Surely, however, the sting of so many loses was eased by the love that Meher Baba showed them when they came to Guruprasad for His blessings.
Sources:
“A Silver Lining.” The Sunday Standard, Delhi, India. April 5, 1959. The Sunday Standard is the only weekly newspaper in India. A shorter article entitled “England - Bound Cricket Team Fit and Happy” appears alongside the article about Meher Baba. “An Hour with Meher Baba - A Sportsman and a True Lover of Sport.” The Poona Daily News “Sportfolio.” Byline: A. David. Poona, India. Thursday [April 2], 1959. “Indian cricket team in England in 1959.” Wikipedia, Kalchuri, Bhau. Lord Meher on-line edition. More than 120 references to cricket occur in Lord Meher. “Members of Cricket Team Felicitated . . . Meher Baba’s Blessing to Cricketers.” The Poona Daily News. Poona, India. No date. Typed copy. Original article is not catalogued in the collection. “Team Blessed by Meher Baba.” The Times of India News Service. Poona, India. April 2, 1959. 1. Bhau Kalchuri, Lord Meher on-line edition, 4510. Also cited in various forms in the articles. 2. “All-rounder” refers to a player who excels at batting, bowling (throwing the ball) and wicket-keeping. Few players are adept at all three. 3. “An Hour with Meher Baba - A Sportsman and a True Lover of Sport,” The Poona Daily News. 4. “A Silver Lining,” The Sunday Standard, Delhi. 5. “Members of Cricket Team Felicitated . . . Meher Baba’s Blessing to Cricketers,” The Poona Daily News. 6. “A Silver Lining,” The Sunday Standard, Delhi. 7. “An Hour with Meher Baba - A Sportsman and a True Lover of Sport,” The Poona Daily News. 8.“Team Blessed by Meher Baba,” The Times of India News Service, Poona.
Not Just Collecting at the Meher Archive Collective
by Renee Bussanich The function of an archive is to gather and preserve historic materials such as documents, photographs and artifacts. The vision of Meher Archive Collective is to gather, and, through the use of computer technology, preserve, maintain, restore and make available to the world historic materials that document the life and work of Avatar Meher Baba. But MAC’s vision extends well beyond the establishment of its own safe and secure collection. Many people in the Meher Baba world community have created their own private collections of materials that have been handed down to them through family connections, given to them to care for, or else acquired by their own initiative. These collections include but are not limited to correspondence between and among other Baba lovers, letters and gifts from the mandali, and, in rarer cases, precious objects such as Baba’s sadras, objects that He touched or items associated with the Perfect Masters. They also contain photographs—both historic and personal, as well as audio and video recordings made during visits to India and at events in the West, when members of Baba’s mandali and other close ones came from India to share their own stories. While MAC always welcomes the donation of historic materials and encourages all to plan for their collection's safe future, it also recognizes and respects the fact that many people wish to keep their archival materials in their personal possession for the time being. Thus MAC makes its services and expertise available to private collectors by preserving their materials for them and returning them to their owners. In addition, MAC endeavors to educate private collectors in methods of preservation so that they can properly maintain their own materials, by individual consultation as well as in workshops. In the world of Meher Baba archives, it is these services that set Meher Archive Collective apart. Ultimately every collection should be also preserved and copied in multiple locations around the world to prevent catastrophic loss in the event of fire, flood, or other natural or man-made disasters. Working collectively will get us to that goal faster than in isolation. 
Circa 1961, Meherazad (from Fredella Collection)
Support Meher Archive Collective
If this work resonates with you and you would like to be a part of the MAC, there are volunteer opportunities and we can use your financial support as well. Please visit the website at www.meherarchive.org
Our Mission: To collect, preserve, and share Meher Baba’s Divine legacy of materials, artifacts, and words with integrity, love, and transparency for the benefit of humanity.
Loving note from a volunteer: ... I just wanted to say how  Three Incredible Weeks, 1954 (Fredella Collection) In order to fulfill MAC’s mission and take on more projects, we need to acquire more space, purchase additional cabinets, materials, and equipment. We are committed to make as much available to as many as is feasible. We need support for this work and we hear from so many all the time what a valuable service it is. MAC looks forward to expanding volunteer opportunities for service. Please help us preserve what is important today and will seem monumental as time goes on. Unfortunately, over the years, some very valuable pieces have already been lost in the greater Baba world and we want to raise awareness about making plans for succession, taking care of what we have, and detailing the provenance of things we were gifted by the Mandali and others. MAC also intends to help people take care of what they already have in their homes by making a video with instructions on rehousing documents and photographs. MAC is a 501(c)3 and can accept tax-deductible donations. Please consider making a year-end donation to get us to the next level. You can also support us with a recurring monthly donation coming directly from your bank or credit card account via Paypal: http://www.meherarchive.org/donations.html Thank you and Jai Baba, MAC Board of Directors Renee Bussanich Hugh Huntington Ken Blackman Jean Brunet Ludwig Scott Tower Executive Director Eruch Adams Our Mission: To collect, preserve, and share Meher Baba’s Divine legacy of materials, artifacts, and words with integrity, love, and transparency for the benefit of humanity.
|
MACNews, blogs, and updates on interesting archival finds and events. Archives
December 2018
Categories
All
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RSS Feed