Welcome New Student Blogger: Klaire Chandler

Posted February 15, 2023 by Ivy Noonan

(I’m kind of midsentence in this picture, but my friend took it on real film and develop it for me, so it’s sort of special.) 

Hi, I’m Klaire Chandler! I’m currently in my third semester here at Simmons. I’m in the Archives Management and History dual program. 

I’m from a very small town in Maine close to Acadia National Park. I grew up riding horses through the woods and collecting various “historical artifacts” (mostly just bits of trash) that I kept in my own little “personal museum,” (aka a cabinet in my room). The things I didn’t find in the woods, I found while combing through yard sales and flea markets with my dad. My prize possession was a WWI address book I found in an estate sale. 

Before coming to Simmons, I attended Salem State University where I majored in English and minored in Art History. After I finished my undergrad I moved to Seoul, South Korea to teach English for a year. Traveling to the other side of the world in the middle of a pandemic was a little bit terrifying, but the people I met (and the food I got to eat) made it worth it. 

So far, my experience at Simmons has been great. Last semester I took LIS 438 and completed my field experience at the Center for the History of Medicine at Harvard Medical School’s Countway Library. I’ve always loved hands-on learning and getting to work with an actual archival collection was wonderful. This semester I’m taking my first history semester. The course is focused on the American Civil War, and so far it’s been really interesting to explore the war from a variety of different perspectives. 

Outside of school, I love to spend time with my Scottish Fold cat, Louie, play DnD with my friends, and attend art shows. I also love to read primarily historical non-fiction or science fiction. I’m currently reading, “A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians” by H.G. Perry. I’m also a reference assistant at the Beatley Library so if you see me there feel free to say “hi!”

(My cat, Louie!)