Preservation Assessment of the Friends Collection and Earlham College Archives

FAIN: PG-52230-14

Earlham College (Richmond, IN 47374-4095)
Anne Thomason (Project Director: May 2013 to February 2014)
Jenny C. Freed (Project Director: February 2014 to September 2015)

A preservation assessment and purchase of environmental monitoring equipment and preservation supplies for an archival collection documenting the history of Quaker religion and culture in the Midwest and beyond. Comprising over 3,000 linear feet of historical materials, the collection includes the papers of prominent Quaker theologians, antislavery activists, educators, politicians, peace movement leaders, and artists. Also included are the historical archives of Earlham College, along with the records of Quaker Yearly Meetings and of births, deaths, and marriages in Midwestern Quaker communities dating back to the 19th century. Collection highlights include the papers of the Friends United Meeting organization, chronicling the work of Quaker missionaries in Africa, Central and South America, and the Middle East.

This proposal seeks funding to support a preservation needs assessment survey at the Friends Collection and Earlham College Archives in Richmond, Indiana. The Friends Collection and Earlham College Archives serves as the official archives for Earlham College and collects manuscripts on the history of Quakerism in the Midwest. The archives will contract with a consultant from the Indiana Historical Society to conduct a general preservation needs assessment. The assessment will evaluate the general storage conditions of the collection, including environment, security, fire protection, and collection storage and handling. The assessment will result in a written report providing immediate, medium, and long-term preservation priorities to ensure the safety and longevity of our holdings. We also seek funding to purchase data loggers to measure humidity and temperature in the storage areas and reading room, and for KASEBox enclosures for housing fragile Indiana Yearly Meeting minutes.