Preserving the History of Sheboygan Through Digital Images

FAIN: PY-234322-16

Mead Public Library (Sheboygan, WI 53081-4563)
Debbra Voss (Project Director: June 2015 to June 2017)

A series of community digitization events at several cultural heritage organizations in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, to preserve personal photographs, letters, memoirs, posters, artwork, and other privately-held sources documenting the history and culture of the region. The materials would be made accessible via “Recollection Wisconsin,” a statewide digital repository that contributes content to the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA). The applicant would also collaborate with the Sheboygan County Historical Society and Museum to develop an exhibit that would featuring selections from digitized sources and also host a six-part series of public lectures on local history by the director of the Sheboygan Historical Research Center. Finally, the curator of a local historic property, the Wade House, would offer a related set of public events entitled “Restoring the Past,” inviting visitors to participate in hands-on historic restoration activities.

This project offers individuals the opportunity to have digitized their historical photographs, documents, and works of art that have a City of Sheboygan connection. Items previously digitized by any publicly accessible digital archive will be excluded. A series of scanning days will be held throughout the grant period, on-site and off-site, to ensure the greatest opportunity to capture these images. Individuals will be encouraged to sign a Deed of Gift so these images can be included in the Ozaukee & Sheboygan Memories digital database. This database will be harvested by Recollection Wisconsin, which will soon become a hub of the Digital Public Library of America. Collaboration with the Sheboygan County Historical Research Center, Sheboygan Museum, and the Wade House will connect the community with its past through presentations and exhibits on how this unique history shaped and influenced not only the lives of current day residents but extended to national and international borders.