Collaboration & Digital History Jessica Dawson, M.A. Fellow in Research & Technology University of The Bahamas

Why Collaboration? Optimization of Limited Resources Holistic Operation Greater Achievements Why Collaboration? Source: http://ramblebahamas.org/ Source: http://schistory.org/ Source: http://www.clevelandmemory.org/ Source: https://www.ministryofeducationbahamas.com/ Source: http://www.clevelandrestoration.org

Cleveland Restoration Society+ Cleveland State University+ Cleveland Photographic Society The Project: Digitize a 40 year institutional photograph and slide collection/Locate and arrange archive for permanent repository The Challenge: Limited budget/ No equipment for slide digitization/ Limited expertise regarding processing of slides Solution: Three-way collaboration which shared technical expertise and equipment costs Source: http://www.heritagehomeprogram.org/ Source: http://www.heritagehomeprogram.org/

The Oral & Public History Institute of the University of The Bahamas + The Ministry of Education The Project: Create a digital walking trail in memory of “Majority Rule” which can be accessed by students across the archipelago The Challenge: No budget/ How to construct trail? / How to train teachers on incorporating this material into classroom? Solution: Dual partnership which divided production, training, and travel related training expenses. Source: https://www.ministryofeducationbahamas.com/ Source: http://ramblebahamas.org/

The Oral & Public History Institute of the University of The Bahamas + South Carolina Historical Society The Project: Discover origin of the mace of The Bahamas House of Assembly The Challenge: House of Assembly Records are not accessible/ Limited Historical Record / Misinformation Solution: Collaboration with South Carolina State Historical Society to locate 1917 Bulletin of the Historical Commission of South Carolina, written by A.S. Salley which details both the mace of The Bahamas and the mace of South Carolina. Mace of The Bahamas. (Fawkes, 1979). Source: http://ramblebahamas.org/ Mace of South Carolina. Source: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/studentpage/coolstuff/seal.shtml

“Mr. McKenzie moved that John Wells, Esquire, be empowered and authorized to purchase from the person or persons having custody of the silver mace of the late Assembly of the Province of South Carolina and that this House will provide for any sum or expenses incurred by reason of said purchase. ” -The House of Assembly, June 25th, 1790. 

The Oral & Public History Institute of the University of The Bahamas + Finding Home Bahamas Source: http://www.findinghomebahamas.com/ The project: Finding Home has been collecting responses regarding culture and history which provide unique insights into the past/current social and political climate seen through the eyes of modern Bahamians. The Challenge: What to do with this data once collected? Solution: Create a “Finding Home” collection in the Oral & Public History Institute Archive and arrange a periodic data transfer. Source: http://www.findinghomebahamas.com/contribute

Application to Lowcountry Digital History Initiative and Lowcountry Digital Library Experience of working in a small non-profit organization allows for the recognition and understanding of the challenges that small organizations encounter on an everyday basis. Offer technical expertise (digitization training or equipment recommendations) when needed. Find creative solutions to the unique problems which can arise in the field of public history. Seek out and nurture collaborations which can have a significant and lasting impact. Search beyond local history and develop relationships with national institutions and international partners to better understand the role of the South Carolina lowcountry and its place in the nation and the world.

Thank You for Attending! Questions? References Fawkes, Randol F. The Faith That Moved the Mountain. Nassau: Fawkes, 1979. Print.