Preservation Needs Assessment for Jacobsburg Historical Society's Archives, Photograph, and Book Collections

FAIN: PG-50186-07

Jacobsburg Historical Society (Nazareth, PA 18064-9247)
Jan Ballard (Project Director: May 2006 to February 2009)

Preservation assessment of some 41 linear feet of correspondence, diaries, journals, ledgers, and vital records, 1,000 photographs and books related to the William Henry family, American firearms manufacturer from 1740 to 1989.

Jacobsburg Historical Society requests $4,865 to hire a consultant to conduct a preservation needs assessment of its historical archives, photographs, manuscripts, and books, which document five generations of the William Henry family, nationally prominent makers of early American firearms. The consultant will dedicate one day to visiting two sites and conducting interviews with key staff, board members, and volunteers. She will then write an in-depth report outlining her recommendations for improved collections storage, security, handling, and management. Her recommendations will provide the basis for a long-range preservation plan, which will be drafted by the project director and submitted to the society's board of directors for approval and action.