Digitization and Preservation of the Cal Fremling Archive
To digitize and preserve Dr. Calvin Fremling's Archive and develop an educational lecture series.
Partners: Winona County Historical Society and Winona State University
The Winona County Historical Society (WCHS) and Winona State University have formed a partnership to digitize and preserve the Cal Fremling Archive, a collection of personal papers, field notes, and images created during the working life this renowned biologist and Winona State University professor for 32 years. Expanding access to this archive will develop educational and research opportunities and increase awareness of Dr. Fremling:s scientific contributions to the study of freshwater biology, specifically on the Upper Mississippi River.
The collection was donated by Dr. Fremling:s wife, Arlayne Fremling, in 2011 to WCHS. The current collection consists of 18 field notes comprising nearly 2,000 pages, 1,500 slides, 650 photographs and negatives, and 3,000 pages of additional research and work documents related to Fremling:s service in the Winona community. WCHS will grant Winona State permission to digitize the collection in full and make it publicly accessible through its digital repository. In addition to the digitization and the accompanying metadata creation, WCHS will preserve the physical collection according to professional standards for future generations.
WCHS and Winona State will also plan a series of lectures to honor the research and teaching of Dr. Fremling. This lecture series will include speakers who researched and taught with Dr. Fremling, freshwater scientists who can discuss an essential aspect of freshwater research, and artists who use freshwater ecosystems and the Mississippi River as a medium for their work.
$2,000,000 each year is for partnerships involving multiple organizations, which may include the Minnesota Historical Society, to preserve and enhance access to Minnesota's history and cultural heritage in all regions of the state.
Available upon request. Contact:grants@mnhs.org
Short-term: Expected Impact - To digitize and create basic metadata for the Cal Fremling Archive collection. To rehouse the Cal Fremling Archive in preservation quality containers. Progress Indicator - The successful completion will occur within the timeframe of the grant. The successful completion will occur within the timeframe of the grant.
Target: Mixed results. All of the metadata was created within the timeframe of the grant. Most of the collection was digitized within the timeframe except for twenty-three documents which were not digitized by NMT due to an oversight by the company. The rehousing of the collection is in process.
Intermediate-Term: Expected Impact - Awareness of this unique physical collection held by the WCHS, and the digital collection managed by WSU. Progress Indicator - Public interest in this completed project through news outlets.
Target: Mixed results. The lecture series assisted in spreading awareness of the collection. When all of the metadata and the files are uploaded to OpenRiver, we will contact the WSU Communications Office to assist in promoting the collection through local media.
Long Term: Expected Impact - Increased access to and awareness of this renowned researcher's field notes and images. Progress Indicator - Use of the collection by the WSU faculty, staff, and students, and scientists.
Target: Mixed results. The educational lectures provided opportunities to bring awareness of the collection. OpenRiver allows WSU to track usage, which will provide us with valuable data about usage. WSU and WCHS will encourage usage of the collection with local educators, researchers, citizen scientists, and advocates.
Available upon request, grants@mnhs.org