Preserving The Past: SUU Partners With USHRAB To Enhance Access To Historical Photos
Southern Utah University (SUU) is collaborating with the Utah State Historical Records Advisory Board (USHRAB) on a significant project aimed at preserving and enhancing access to seven photographic collections that capture the rich history of both SUU and Iron County. These collections, spanning from 1878 to 2006, contain invaluable visual documentation of the region’s past, providing a window into the lives, events, and landscapes that have shaped Southern Utah over more than a century.
The SUU Special Collections staff is meticulously upgrading the storage of 160 linear feet of photographs and negatives. This upgrade involves the use of archival acid-free photo sleeves, folders, and boxes, which are essential for protecting these delicate materials from deterioration. By investing in these preservation methods, SUU ensures that these unique historical images will remain intact and accessible for future generations to explore and learn from.
In addition to improving physical storage, the project will create detailed finding aids that will be made available online. These aids will enable both campus members and the broader community to search the collections for specific people, events, and places, making the process of connecting with the past more straightforward and enriching.
The Utah State Historical Records Advisory Board plays a crucial role in this project. The Board, which distributes federal funds from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), is dedicated to assisting public and private non-profits, as well as non-federal government entities, in the preservation and use of historical records across Utah. By supporting initiatives like this one at SUU, USHRAB promotes the safeguarding of the state’s historical heritage and fosters public engagement with these important records.
This project also aligns with USHRAB’s broader mission of increasing public access to historical records. By promoting Archives Month in October and building connections with local government records specialists, SUU aims to strengthen its archives and ensure that the history of Southern Utah remains accessible to all.
The SUU Special Collections project is supported by a grant from USHRAB and NHPRC, with additional assistance from SUU’s Sponsored Programs, Agreements, Research & Contracts (SPARC) office, which helps faculty and staff secure and manage external funding for projects like this.
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