Catherine Stearns Medich, MA, MLIS

GSBC General Meeting
What’s New at the New Jersey State Archives?
Monday, 26 October 2026 @ 7:00 pm
In-Person at The Hermitage Meeting Room, ​335 North Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423 
Free and open to the public; Presentation replay available to GSBC Members

If you’ve been to the New Jersey State Archives’ (NJSA) website lately or followed them on Facebook, you may have noticed some changes! The NJSA has been working hard behind the scenes to digitize collections, coordinate with other hosting organizations, and revamp their research website portal. Join us as we welcome Catherine Medich, Reference Archivist and head of Reference Services at the New Jersey State Archives, to discover what is new, how to access in-person records and microfilm, and how to make the best of your research time in Trenton.

Additionally, we will get a sneak-peek at two groundbreaking exhibits at the New Jersey State Archives and New Jersey State Museum featuring artifacts from the State Archives vaults.

The Power to Change: Revolutionary Stories from the New Jersey State Archives. will be on view until January 10, 2027. In celebration of the United States Semiquincentennial and New Jersey’s 250th, the New Jersey State Archives, in collaboration with the New Jersey State Museum, presents The Power of Change: Revolutionary Stories. The exhibit highlights rarely seen foundational federal and state government documents. Visitors will also explore how revolutionary ideals, fought for by our founders, influenced the newly established government and continue to allow for reinterpretation and adaptation today. https://www.nj.gov/state/museum/explore-exhibits.shtml

Revolutionary Lives: Living the American Experiment Then and Now is on view on the ground level of the State Archives building at 225 West State Street in Trenton. The American Revolution created dramatic disruptions and opportunities for the people of New Jersey. While much is known about the challenges faced by the leaders of the conflict, most Americans are less familiar with the experiences of ordinary people. Visitors are invited to explore their lives and how their experiences, views, and choices were shaped by their unique circumstances. The exhibition is an expanded version of the RevolutionNJ traveling exhibit, supplemented with original archival material and period artifacts. https://nj.gov/state/archives/about-current-exhibitions.shtml

Note: We hope you will join us at The Hermitage’s Meeting Room, which is ADA accessible. (The Ridgewood Public Library Auditorium is under construction.) There is ample parking on-site; please reserve the spots closest to the door for those who need them most.

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Catherine Stearns Medich, MA, MLIS, is a Reference Archivist and head of Reference Services at the New Jersey State Archives. With more than 25 years of public service, she is integral in managing the reference section of the Archives, and assisting users with the many, varied collections maintained at the State Archives. Catherine has particular knowledge of the military collections, including the State’s Civil War collections, and the New Jersey State Militia records, which she was also responsible for processing and organizing. She is a frequent guest speaker at local genealogical conferences and clubs, where she reviews and explains the types of records held at the New Jersey State Archives, and how to access them. Catherine is a graduate of Dickinson University with a Bachelor’s Degree in History and holds two Master’s Degrees from Rutgers University, in Art History and Library Service.