Murray County Oversized Documents Inventory and Rehousing
To provide better organization and storage of the museum's oversized collections, allowing for greater public access to the community's historic resources.
The Murray County Historical Society inventoried and rehoused the oversized documents held in their collection. They inventoried 772 rolled and flat documents over the course of the project. The flat documents were rehoused in existing map cases and the rolled documents were rehoused in archival quality boxes that were ordered with grant funds.
The documents that were inventoried and rehoused during the course of this grant project can be shared more easily with future generations and will also last longer in storage. The rolled documents will no longer have to be "riffled" through and are no longer open to being crushed and the many flat documents are no longer folded and creased in crowded vertical files. The physical documents will be properly preserved for future generations to enjoy because they are now being stored much more properly.
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$5,846,000 in fiscal year 2020 and $7,004,000 in fiscal year 2021 are for statewide historic and cultural grants to local, county, regional, or other historical or cultural organizations or for activities to preserve significant historic and cultural resources. Money must be distributed through a competitive grant process. The Minnesota Historical Society must administer the money using established grant mechanisms, with assistance from the advisory committee created under Laws 2009, chapter 172, article 4, section 2, subdivision 4, paragraph (b), item (ii).
Available upon request. Contact, grants@mnhs.org
Yes. We have already seen the benefits of the measurable outcomes. Short term: with our broadened knowledge of the documents in the collection we are looking ahead at planning to integrate some examples into upcoming exhibits. For example, the blueprints of the 1890s Murray County Courthouse will be used in the County Courthouse Display. We have also been able to exhibit several of the oversized documents on our daily Facebook page posts which have piqued the interest of many of our followers. Intermediate term: This target has definitely been met. We have had a much easier time accessing the documents now that they are organized and on PastPerect. Two examples of this: 1) two researchers have been working on looking into the Avoca Boarding School. The maps of Avoca that we had previously shown them did not pinpoint where the school was located. Through the grant we discovered and inventoried an earlier map of Avoca which was able to shed light on the school's location. 2) Another researcher is working on putting together a book on recreation around Lake Shetek. Through the grant we discovered and inventoried two posters for Walt Benton's dance bands when they performed at the Tepeeotah Resort at Lake Shetek. The researcher will be able to use these posters in her book which is anticipated to sell widely. Having these posters in her book being cited back to the MCHS will bring more attention to our collection. Long term: the documents will undoubtedly have a longer life after being rehoused. The rolled documents will no longer have to be "riffled" through, are no longer open to being crushed, and the many flat documents are no longer folded and creased in crowded vertical files.
Available upon request, grants@mnhs.org