Digitizing and Creating Access to the Strachwitz-Frontera Collection of Mexican and Mexican American Recordings

FAIN: PW-50578-10

Arhoolie Foundation (El Cerrito, CA 94530-3123)
Tom Diamant (Project Director: July 2009 to October 2013)

The cataloging, digitization, and online delivery of 24,000 45 rpm recordings of Mexican and Mexican American music created originally from 1954 to 1990.

The Strachwitz Frontera Collection of Mexican and Mexican American Records is the world's largest and most complete gathering of Mexican American vernacular music. In its entirety, it constitutes the most sweeping sound-recorded document of Chicano culture. The Arhoolie Foundation, owner of the collection, has successfully completed the digital transfer of some 17,000 78 rpm records (34,000 individual performances), and has begun to transfer the huge body 45 rpm records. Over 12,000 45 rpm discs (24,000 individual performances) are still in urgent need of digital preservation. We are requesting this grant for the purpose of completing transfer of the 45s and delivering them to the University of California Digital Library where they will be made available online to scholars and to the general public.