Expansion and Endowment of the W.B. Nickerson Cape Cod History Archives

FAIN: CH-50700-10

Cape Cod Community College Educational Foundation (West Barnstable, MA 02668-1599)
Jeanmarie L. Fraser (Project Director: May 2009 to February 2016)

Funding supports renovations to the college's library to house and safeguard the W.B. Nickerson Cape Cod History Archives, and an endowment for acquisitions and other archival costs.

The W. B. Nickerson Cape Cod History Archives is the only research/archival resource dedicated to preserving Cape Cod's rich and nationally relevant historical record in its entirety. It contains over 10,000 rare items, including maps, deeds, ship logs & diaries. The Archives has outgrown available space and is unable to meet archival standards in preserving its holdings, rare documents are deteriorating. We propose to: 1) renovate the Archives, expanding its area and updating facilities to attain archival standards of preservation, and accommodate collection growth; 2) digitize key elements of the collection and make them available online; 3) establish an endowment to fund collection conservation, acquisitions, and educational outreach. The total estimated costs are $953,524; of which $543,500 are in hand/pledged. We request $170,000 from the NEH, to be matched by $360,024 from non-federal sources ($120,000 in hand qualify for match). This project is a priority for the College.