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The work supported by this grant has allowed the following advancements in the field of historic preservation:

  1. Identified institutions housing Creole cultural collections
  2. Identified the collection policies of institutions housing Creole cultural items
  3. Identified private owners of Creole cultural collections who are willing to grant access to these items for exhibition and cataloging purposes.
  4. Identified a lack of, and access to, reference materials regarding the Creole history and culture by the Creole public.
  5. Identified a genuine need for a Guide detailing preservation methods of tangible and non-tangible items associated with Creole culture.

Conclusions/Recommendations

Compilation of this data indicates a very real need regarding preserving not only material items from the Creole history but also protecting and promoting this culture. The two surveys developed through the support of this NCPTT grant has produced a large assortment of data that would support future projects. A recommend listing is as follows.

  1. Creole Heritage Preservation Guide

    Creation and subsequent distribution of the Creole Heritage Preservation Guide using the outline submitted as a portion of this final project. The Guide once created, would be distributed in written and computerized formats. The computerized format would allow for dissemination of the guide through the Internet as well as through disk copy.

  2. Workshops on Imaging

    The presentation of workshops introducing the methods and results of scanning images to disks. These workshops would allow the general public to gain knowledge of this concept while further identifying sources of collectible items The ability of the general public to experience this concept would aid in the encouragement of others to participate, which in turn would contribute to a potential extensive library of images.

  3. Digitized Exhibit

    The most effective mechanism available today to store and transport large amounts of information is the CD. This mechanism would allow for the creation of a multimedia exhibit featuring selected items loaned for scanning by owners of Creole related collections. This project would address many issues regarding preservation of these items as well as the Creole culture. A few of the issues addressed would be the introduction of the process to the general public; the actual preservation of these items by allowing access without exposure to the original; the ability to share these collections to facilitate research, teaching and learning; and the ability to use new computer tools and innovative methods to present obscured items in an enhanced and more visible manner.

  4. Online archival collections

    An online archival collection featuring scanned items donated from the identified owners of Creole heritage related collections. This project would enhance and aid the preservation of many items that are often fragile and require care in handling. It would benefit both the researcher and the general public by providing digitized versions of these collections online.

  5. Workshops on Preservation Methods

    Workshops on preservation methods and materials actually showing the items written about in the Guide. Although the written and computerized guide would provide the ways and terms of preservation, an actual physical presentation would serve to amplify and reinforce this information.

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NCPTT - National Center for Preservation Technology and Training
645 University Parkway
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Updated: Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Published: Sunday, January 11, 2009


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