Post-Katrina Salvage and Conservation of the Murella H. Powell Local History and Genealogy Collection HK EMERGENCY GRANT

FAIN: PC-50005-06

Harrison County Library System (Biloxi, MS 39532-4251)
Charline Julia Longino (Project Director: October 2005 to December 2006)

HURRICANE KATRINA EMERGENCY GRANT The Biloxi Public Library holds the Murella H. Powell Local History Collection of historic photographs, maps, architectural records, oral history recordings, family archives, and other materials documenting the history of the Mississippi Gulf Coast region. Located one block from the Gulf, the library was heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina, and 50% of the local history collection was submerged by flood waters. Because the collection was at risk of damage from mold, it was removed from the building and shipped to Chicago for professional cleaning and drying. Oral history recordings on magnetic tape were taken to the Oral History Center at the University of Southern Mississippi for washing, drying, and re-recording. Risk assessment and documentation of the collection's current condition is being done by representatives of the American Association of State and Local History and the American Institute for Conservation.