Preservation Assessment of the Paper-Based Collections of the Giles County Historical Society

FAIN: PG-50593-09

Giles County Historical Society (Pearisburg, VA 24134-1626)
Terri Fisher (Project Director: May 2008 to August 2013)

The society's first-ever preservation assessment for its collection of historical documents, ledgers, county records, newspapers, and other research materials. These sources, which include documentation dating back to the 18th century, have been used for publications, genealogical study, exhibitions, and teaching exercises.

The NEH Preservation Grant would support the professional preservation assessment of the paper-based collections of the Giles County Historical Society by Wendy Jessup and Associates, Inc. (WJ&A). The paper-based collections include ledgers, newspapers, letters, county records, and other unique genealogical and historic resources not available in other institutions. WJ&A will conduct an on-site survey of the paper-based collections to provide the following recommendations: 1) Immediate-term guidance for recovering improperly stored paper-based items; 2) Short-term remedial improvements for storage and exhibition of the paper-based collections as well as safe usage of these materials by researchers and genealogists; 3) Long-term planning for paper-based storage, exhibit space, and environmental conditions in the new museum building that is the current focus of the Historical Society's fundraising efforts.