Preservation Workshops on Disaster and Preservation Planning

FAIN: PG-51734-12

Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches, TX 75965-3940)
Kyle Ainsworth (Project Director: May 2011 to November 2012)

Training and education in disaster planning and recovery to better preserve the East Texas Research Center's historical collections, including nearly 25,000 rare books, 1,082 maps, and 9,842 linear feet of manuscripts documenting the history and culture of East Texas. Key collections include materials on the Texas lumber industry and the records of Congressman Charlie Wilson used in the production of the 2007 film, "Charlie Wilson's War." The four-day workshop would be attended by staff from cultural heritage institutions throughout the East Texas region.

The East Texas Research Center (ETRC), Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas proposes a four-day workshop conducted by a consultant from the Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) to increase awareness and educate over 60 regional cultural heritage institutions in 18 neighboring counties on the importance of disaster and preservation planning. The first two days would consist of lectures on preservation basics followed by hands-on tutorials putting these principles to practice. The second half of the workshop would follow the same general format; lectures on disaster planning and recovery coupled with salvage demonstrations. Days 3 and 4 would conclude with free and interactive 2-hour seminars conducted by the NEDCC consultant instructing the general public how to preserve their family treasures.