Exploring Cummins Heritage: Lori Lindberg’s Passion for Preserving History
The term “archive” often evokes images of outdated, forgotten objects—dusty paper files with hard-to-decipher text and film reels, whose technology is long obsolete. It brings to mind slides stored in poorly labeled boxes that seem to crumble in our hands, filled with small items and their scattered parts. Labels with cryptic names and places might seem insignificant to anyone unfamiliar with them. In our minds, these items are handled by an archivist, someone buried under piles of forgotten history.
But Lori Ann Lindberg, the lead archivist at the Cummins Heritage Center, offers a different perspective.
“We don’t keep dead things,” she explains. “We preserve living documents created by real people, full of vibrant, meaningful information.”
Lori believes archivists play a unique role in connecting the past to the future. For a company like Cummins, which continues to innovate with groundbreaking technologies, these historical records are invaluable. Every day, Lori uncovers new stories from Cummins’ 106-year history, many of which reflect the company’s ongoing values, innovations, and ambitions.
One such story that stands out to Lori is a letter written by J. Irwin Miller, a former president and chairman of Cummins for over 40 years. Miller, a fierce advocate for civil rights, played a key role in co-sponsoring the 1963 March on Washington with Martin Luther King Jr. In a letter to a potential investor who criticized Cummins’ diverse hiring practices, Miller boldly stated that the company would continue to hire people of all backgrounds, citing this diversity as a vital element of Cummins’ success. The letter ended with a suggestion that the investor take their business elsewhere.
Lori reflects on the letter with emotion: “It’s over 70 years old, but it still speaks to the core of what Cummins stands for. Keeping that piece of history is a real source of pride for me.”
Visiting the Cummins Heritage Center, you’d quickly notice Lori’s deep connection to the company’s past. She might downplay it, but she’s one of the most knowledgeable people about Cummins' history, even though she believes there’s always more to learn.
The Center is a treasure trove of historical artifacts: magazines, training materials, letters, photographs, and vintage advertisements line the walls. Old engine blueprints and global memorabilia fill the shelves, and a display of Cummins engines, spanning decades, leads to a restoration area where race cars and classic vehicles are lovingly restored.
But how does one become an archivist for a global company like Cummins?
Lori’s journey began in music. She graduated from Indiana University’s School of Music, studying opera, and spent several years in California before settling in San Francisco. It was there, working at a record store chain, that she developed a passion for organization while sorting through music records. This newfound love for organizing led her to earn a Master’s in Library and Information Science. Lori spent years working as an archivist for major corporations and teaching the art of archiving. She even created the first graduate program in Archives and Records Administration in the country.
In 2020, after returning to Indiana, Lori applied for an archivist position at an undisclosed company. When she found out it was Cummins, a company she had admired since childhood, she knew it was the perfect fit. She started as a contractor and became a full-time employee in 2023.
Growing up in Indianapolis, Lori was familiar with Cummins. Her father worked for Chrysler, and she recalls his excitement when the Dodge Ram featured a Cummins engine. Her admiration for the company was ingrained early on.
Although Lori works in the archives, she doesn’t stay in one place. She regularly attends meetings across Cummins’ Business Units, keeping an eye on new developments that could enrich the company’s historical collection. These experiences help her stay attuned to the company’s future direction.
Lori is committed to ensuring that the Cummins Heritage Center reflects an honest portrayal of the company’s impact—both through its groundbreaking products and the people who make it all possible.
“I want the Heritage Center to accurately represent the many positive aspects of Cummins and its influence—not just on the industry, but on its people,” she says.
Years from now, when future archivists examine Cummins’ legacy, they’ll undoubtedly see Lori’s name among those whose passion helped preserve and shape the company’s rich history.
But Lori Ann Lindberg, the lead archivist at the Cummins Heritage Center, offers a different perspective.
“We don’t keep dead things,” she explains. “We preserve living documents created by real people, full of vibrant, meaningful information.”
Lori believes archivists play a unique role in connecting the past to the future. For a company like Cummins, which continues to innovate with groundbreaking technologies, these historical records are invaluable. Every day, Lori uncovers new stories from Cummins’ 106-year history, many of which reflect the company’s ongoing values, innovations, and ambitions.
One such story that stands out to Lori is a letter written by J. Irwin Miller, a former president and chairman of Cummins for over 40 years. Miller, a fierce advocate for civil rights, played a key role in co-sponsoring the 1963 March on Washington with Martin Luther King Jr. In a letter to a potential investor who criticized Cummins’ diverse hiring practices, Miller boldly stated that the company would continue to hire people of all backgrounds, citing this diversity as a vital element of Cummins’ success. The letter ended with a suggestion that the investor take their business elsewhere.
Lori reflects on the letter with emotion: “It’s over 70 years old, but it still speaks to the core of what Cummins stands for. Keeping that piece of history is a real source of pride for me.”
Visiting the Cummins Heritage Center, you’d quickly notice Lori’s deep connection to the company’s past. She might downplay it, but she’s one of the most knowledgeable people about Cummins' history, even though she believes there’s always more to learn.
The Center is a treasure trove of historical artifacts: magazines, training materials, letters, photographs, and vintage advertisements line the walls. Old engine blueprints and global memorabilia fill the shelves, and a display of Cummins engines, spanning decades, leads to a restoration area where race cars and classic vehicles are lovingly restored.
But how does one become an archivist for a global company like Cummins?
Lori’s journey began in music. She graduated from Indiana University’s School of Music, studying opera, and spent several years in California before settling in San Francisco. It was there, working at a record store chain, that she developed a passion for organization while sorting through music records. This newfound love for organizing led her to earn a Master’s in Library and Information Science. Lori spent years working as an archivist for major corporations and teaching the art of archiving. She even created the first graduate program in Archives and Records Administration in the country.
In 2020, after returning to Indiana, Lori applied for an archivist position at an undisclosed company. When she found out it was Cummins, a company she had admired since childhood, she knew it was the perfect fit. She started as a contractor and became a full-time employee in 2023.
Growing up in Indianapolis, Lori was familiar with Cummins. Her father worked for Chrysler, and she recalls his excitement when the Dodge Ram featured a Cummins engine. Her admiration for the company was ingrained early on.
Although Lori works in the archives, she doesn’t stay in one place. She regularly attends meetings across Cummins’ Business Units, keeping an eye on new developments that could enrich the company’s historical collection. These experiences help her stay attuned to the company’s future direction.
Lori is committed to ensuring that the Cummins Heritage Center reflects an honest portrayal of the company’s impact—both through its groundbreaking products and the people who make it all possible.
“I want the Heritage Center to accurately represent the many positive aspects of Cummins and its influence—not just on the industry, but on its people,” she says.
Years from now, when future archivists examine Cummins’ legacy, they’ll undoubtedly see Lori’s name among those whose passion helped preserve and shape the company’s rich history.
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