"In Belaboring The Sins of Some Relegious People, we Could Feel Superior"

Our Purpose

Area 64 Alcoholics Anonymous Archives

In 1957 Bill Wilson said,".. We are trying to build up extensive records which will be of value to a future historian... It is highly important that there can be no substantial distortion... We want to keep on enlarging on this idea for the sake of the full length history to come..."

Mission Statement

Our A.A.W.S. Handbook reminds us that our primary purpose remains, of course to carry the message of hope to the still-suffering alcoholic. We can never become merely the custodians of A.A. history. We can, however within the context of the whole range of A.A. services, renew our own sense of purpose by collecting and preserving the rich and meaningful heritage of our past. With this in mind the Area 64 Archives of Alcoholics Anonymous adopts the following mission statement.

To recieve, classify,, and index all, relevant material, including, but not limited too, administrative files and records, correspondence, and literary and artifactual works considered to have historical importance to Alcoholics Anonymous ("material"). To hold and preserve such material, making access possible as determined by the present Archivist in consultation with the Archives Committie, to members of Alcoholics Anonymous and, to those of the public who may have a valid need, to review said material, such access to be provided only during business hours and with mindful view toward the anonymity of our members.

Why Establish An Archives?

There is both a need and an obligation to preserve the experience, history, and memorabilia of the Fellowship. The existing correspondence, records, photographs, newspaper and magazine articles of past years need to be collected, preserved and available for guidance, use and research of A.A. members and others--researchers, historians, sociologists, and other scholars--not only for the present but for the generations to come.

Purpose:

The main purpose of the Archives consistent with A.A.’s primary purpose is to keep the record straight so that myth does not predominate over fact as to the history of the Fellowship.

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Page Last Updated 06/08/2000