Special Colelctions and Archives: Purchase of Preservation Supplies and Environmental Monitoring Equipment

FAIN: PG-252833-17

Davis and Elkins College (Elkins, WV 26241-3971)
Mary Jo DeJoice (Project Director: May 2016 to December 2017)

The purchase of environmental monitoring equipment and preservation supplies to maintain books, recordings, manuscripts, and historical objects documenting the history of the college (founded  in 1904) and the surrounding region in West Virginia. Highlights include video, audio, and photographs related to the folklore and music of Appalachia and the papers of writer Pearl Buck.

Davis & Elkins College will purchase recommended preservation supplies and environmental monitoring equipment for their Special Collections and Archives (SCA). Significant to Appalachian history and culture, the SCA include: the Augusta Collection, an assemblage of primarily audiovisual material documenting over 40 years of traditional Appalachian music and dance; the Comstock Collection, including original manuscripts and correspondence from Nobel Prize-winning author Pearl Buck; and the College Archives which house records for the Davis & Elkins Historic District (a National Historic Landmark), as well as from the prolific Senators Davis and Elkins. These supplies will allow Davis & Elkins College to continue short-term efforts recommended in a recently completed preservation assessment to improve current collections care and practices, as well as to facilitate forward momentum on a comprehensive preservation plan that will act as a guide for future preservation projects.