The Mundaneum also holds archives that are not related to pacifism, anarchism or feminism. The most important of these are the World Fairs collection, and the personal papers of Valentin Van Hassel.

World Fairs collection

World Fairs were of particular interest to Otlet and La Fontaine as they were seen as important venues for inter-country exchanges and learning about the technical and scientific innovations of the day. They took part on several occasions, such as in 1900 when they went to Paris to promote the RBU, and in 1910 when they travelled to Brussels to present (under the aegis of the UIA) an exhibition on international associations. The Mundaneum’s collection spans the period from the London World Fair in 1862 to the Montreal World Fair in 1967.

Valentin Van Hassel’s personal papers

After qualifying as a medical doctor in 1877, Valentin Van Hassel (1852-1938) set up practice in his native village of Pâturages. Hassel became interested in occupational accidents and diseases, and the sanitary conditions of workers’ housing and schools. He specialised in women’s health and co-founded a gynaecological clinic in Mons. In the late 19th century, he worked as a doctor and senior surgeon at the Caisse Commune des Charbonnages du Couchant de Mons, a mutual health insurance scheme for mine workers. He also founded the Hôpital Intercharbonnier de Warquignies (a hospital for mine workers), and helped found the Anti-cancer League. Van Hassel was also a writer and published many books in the patois of Borinage and in French under the name of Henry Raveline. A member of the Liberal Party, he helped create the Journal du Borinage and the Gazette du Borinage, and was a regular contributor to the La Province newspaper. These collections also contain the papers of Albert Libiez (1877-1943), the son-in-law of Van Hassel, a lawyer and editor-in-chief of La Province from 1908, as well as those of Alexis Bouchez (1826-1915), the father-in-law of Van Hassel, a mine engineer.

For more information, please consult the full list of the Mundaneum’s resources and collections.