Documentation Centre for the History of Greek Agriculture

The Documentation Centre for the History of Greek Agriculture is the sequence of the AUA Historical Archive and has been established in the Museum of Agriculture since September 2008.  Its ambition is to become a multilevel research centre in the area of agriculture.   Its main target is to revive interest in the agricultural history and the history of agricultural studies, as well as to inspire researchers within or outside AUA, contributing to the acknowledgement of the significant role that AUA and scientists of agriculture play in the development of agriculture and science.

The already classified AUA Historical Archive, which along with the Historical Archive of the National Kapodistrian University of Athens are considered to be one of the few adequately classified and acknowledged archives in the country, was relocated in the same building.  That way, all the documentary material (e.g. books, documents, textbooks, journals, newspapers, photos, old editions, audiovisual material) that was scattered in several administration units and buildings, was gathered together.  

The Documentation Centre collection is developed in more than 25 sq meters of archive, about 5000 items and almost 3000 journal issues of agricultural interest, archival collections (e.g. Emmanuel Vathis collection, Stathis Damianakos collection, Agricultural Party Archive) over 2000 photos in print or digital form, rare books collection, maps, gravures and other valuable items.

The digitalisation of a part of the Centre’s collection is in progress, while cataloguing of its historically important archival material is also in progress with the help of the Ionian University Department of Archive & Librarianship students, through practical training.

Digitalisation along with the development of a reliable cataloguing system will make it easier for the collections to be maintained and explored by the public, students and researchers through several permanent or periodical exhibitions.  Thus, the properly equipped Centre will be able to contribute into achieving multilevel targets (educational, research etc.).

Last but not least, the Centre is willing to cooperate with similar centres both in Greece and abroad.  It also supports the organising of educational seminars, lectures, research programmes, conferences, as well as publication of scientific books, papers etc.

Further Information