Preservation Rehousing of Film Collections at the University of Montana

FAIN: PG-258340-18

University of Montana (Missoula, MT 59801-4494)
Donna E. McCrea (Project Director: May 2017 to present)

The purchase of preservation supplies to rehouse a collection of 5,300 films dating from the 1920s to the 1970s documenting aspects of the history and culture of Montana. They include, for example, amateur home movies, promotional films produced for the Northern Pacific Railway, video of the influential Montana Congressman and Senator Mike Mansfield, and footage of the national “Trail of Broken Treaties” student protests.

This project proposal requests $3,414 to purchase supplies to help ensure the long-term preservation of 16mm and 8mm films held in the University of Montana’s Archives and Special Collections. This preservation rehousing activity is done at the recommendation of a consultant hired with a 2014 NEH Preservation Assistance Grant. Our film collections have demonstrated use by students, scholars, businesses and the general public for their personal and professional research. These collections have significance to the humanities because they provide primary source documentation of the people, events and activities of Montana and Montanans from the 1920s to the 1970s. A large portion of these films, including home movies, are held uniquely by the University of Montana.