The work supported by this grant has allowed the following advancements in the field of historic
preservation:
- Identified institutions housing Creole cultural collections
- Identified the collection policies of institutions housing Creole cultural items
- Identified private owners of Creole cultural collections who are willing to grant access to
these items for exhibition and cataloging purposes.
- Identified a lack of, and access to, reference materials regarding the Creole history and
culture by the Creole public.
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.