The Traveling Archivist: Eastern Oregon

by Mary B. Hansen

Running from the aftermath of a local murder and attempting to escape the pain of betrayal and loss, professional archivist Della Waters takes a temporary job as a traveling archivist in a small town in Eastern Oregon.

An outsider in this close-knit rural community, Della immerses herself in the archives where she discovers misfiled trial documents detailing a racist massacre of thirty-four Chinese gold miners more than one hundred years ago. Her research uncovers uncomfortable truths for the local pioneer families.

Will the pillars of the community embrace their hidden past or try to destroy it and her?

224 pages, Hardcover

Published January 29, 2025

Reviews

[Jeanne Mcgrady · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely read!!!! An important story told inside of another story. The author’s characters are lovely and I would love to live in the world she created - especially now. Mary B Hansen is also an archivist and the importance of preserving history AND learning from it (so we can do better) is woven throughout the pages. I encourage everyone to get a copy and read it - or request it from your local library!!! I can’t wait to see where Della goes next!

[Demi Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such an excellent read and a beautiful, accessible peak into the importance of archivism in exploring and learning from our collective past!! I was hooked from the prologue and just got more into it with every chapter. The characters were lovely (minus one who irked me so much, you just know he was very well written), and I really enjoyed the perspective of the main character. I'm really looking forward to more Della Waters Archival Mysteries!

[Connie Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading a novel is a rewarding endeavor when I learn about a subject that is foreign to me. The Traveling Archivist, by Mary B. Hansen, provided a thorough picture of a professional archivist’s protocol to preserve history. The story’s protagonist, Della Waters, is looking to escape the intruding memories of a traumatic experience while working as an archivist at the City of Portland Archives. Taking a temporary position in Eastern Oregon as a traveling archivist to organize the historical records of the small town of Younger seemed a perfect solution. However, the man who received the grant (J.S. Hightower) intended to do the work himself and claimed ownership over the documents housed in the old city hall. He repeatedly and proudly declares his family founders of the city. To Della’s chagrin, they butt heads often. When Della discovers forgotten and shocking documents from the town’s past, she realizes Hightower’s behavior is tied to his need to protect a family secret buried deep for generations. How far will he go to keep that secret hidden?
Della finds her hidden strength, heals her past, and finds love and friendship in this tale of commitment to revealing the truths of the past and the value of preservation.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid debut mystery with strong setting. I loved all the details about the work of an archivist (okay, I'm a librarian) and the clever plot that leads the reader to explore more about the tragic murder of Chinese miners near Hell's Canyon. What's next, Mary B. Hansen?