MEMORY AND GUILLOTINES

The Archives Commune

About

The Archives Commune is a repository, info-shop, zine library, mini book-shop and social space in Tucson, Arizona. It houses physical and digital archival collections that span anarchism and anti authoritarian history, prison writing and abolition, experimental music and sound, queer and trans art, Palestine solidarity, anti-ICE struggles, the Stop Cop City movement, anti-nuclear organizing, Jewish history, and autonomous social spaces. While dispersed in subjects, the project is rooted in anti-capitalist, working class, anti-imperialist, and abolitionist practices. Geographic scope is largely focused on the South and Southwest u.s. but extends to Texas, Atlanta, Minneapolis, and international struggles.

Projects include the Inside Books Project Archive, Perilous Chronicle, the Jewish Zine Archive, the Defend the Atlanta Forest Archive and Tucson Solidarity with Palestine collection as well as individual scholars and activists.

Here's a selection of materials from our Anti-Nuclear collection. These patches and shirt were from a 3 day Anti-Uranium summit that occurred in Northern Arizona earlier this year. The final day of this summit culminated in a spontaneous blockade of a uranium hauling truck. stopthem.global is a ongoing campaign against all transportation, hauling, extraction, and mining of uranium and other nuclear materials. We will be expanding our drop-in hours to browse this collection and others, stay tuned. Open house, Friday Feb 6th, 1-5pm at the Historic Y (738 N 5th Ave, Suite 214)! Come browse some of our many collections ranging from forest defense to anti-ICE organizing, books to prisons work and Palestine encampments, experimental music and an ICE whistle collection! There will also be rad books from AK and PM Press for sale. Wed. 10/22 Archives Commune open house, 3-7pm! Featuring a Desert Drone mini exhibit 6-7PM. Historic Y. 738 N. 5th Ave, Suite 214. The Archives Commune is a memory collective, resource space, and social center in Tucson dedicated to preserving radical histories—antiauthoritarian, antifascist, decolonial, and working-class struggles in the Southwest and beyond. This is the official launch of our Instagram page!

Archives Commune at the Historic Y

Physical collections, education space, and resources are housed at the Historic Y. This space is at Suite 214, 738 N 5th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705 and open hours can be viewed on this calendar. Please email our project coordinator at anarchivist.futures@pm.me to confirm or schedule a visit.

Resources

  • 2-3 work stations with monitors
  • Technology: flatbed scanner, book scanner, cameras, video recorder, audio recorder
  • Physical preservation materials and support
  • Archival support and consultation

Accessibility

As of May 1, we are housed on the second floor of the Y, in suite 214. There is no elevator (we are awaiting a ground level suite to open up). However, there are first-floor spaces we also use for events, accessible by two ADA wheelchair ramps in the front and back of the building. There are ADA parking spots and ramp access in the parking lot. If the 2nd floor suite isn’t accessible, just email us so we can reserve a time and location on the ground level for your visit.

The Blacklidge Community Collective

Additional resources, collaborations, events, and exhibits will happen at the BCC, at 657 W St Marys Rd, Tucson, AZ 85701 (see bcctucson.org or Instagram @bcctucson for updates).

Donating and Membership

You do not have to be a formal Archives Commune member to collaborate, share space, and utilize resources and technology. However, we suggest donating if you can, so we can continue to pay rent, upkeep our technology, retain access to education and collaboration spaces, compensate workers, and purchase supplies for public use. Below are some suggested amounts for donations, but feel free to discuss with us, and no one is denied access for lack of funds!

  • One time visit for consultation or workspace use: $5-10 one-time
  • Infrequent visits to the Commune (1-2 a month) for guidance or support: $5-10/mo
  • Regular use (multiple times a month) of the space, resources, and in-person guidance: $10-50/mo
  • Frequent use (biweekly or more) of the resource technologies, physical preservation materials, and hands-on guidance: $20-100/mo

You can donate at:

Paypal: paypal.me/ArchivesCommune

Our new Patreon: patreon.com/archivescommune

Venmo (note “Archives Commune”): Blank Reg. Reg @dewey_decimator

Cash or check: visit in-person or mail to:

Archives Commune
Suite 214
738 N. 5th Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85705