New York’s Documentation Efforts Strategic Plan for Documenting Mental Health in New York State Environmental History Collection

New Yorkers value their heritage…. ….New Yorkers neglect their heritage. Ensure equitable documentation of the current and historical records of all communities. Ensure equitable documentation of the current and historical records of all communities. Challenge: Challenge: It’s nobody’s job It’s nobody’s job Gap between archives and creator Gap between archives and creator

Initiative Goals Enriching the historical records Enriching the historical records Documentation planning Documentation planning Creating project websites to facilitate access Creating project websites to facilitate access Enhanced description of archival holdings Enhanced description of archival holdings Digital images online Digital images online Stimulate interest Stimulate interest In under-documented topics In under-documented topics In importance of historical record In importance of historical record

Projects/Initiatives New York Heritage Documentation Project New York Heritage Documentation Project NY SHRAB initiative NY SHRAB initiative funded by NHPRC funded by NHPRC Activities Activities Develop methodology Develop methodology Refine topical list Refine topical list Test methodology and develop plan in 3 topical areas Test methodology and develop plan in 3 topical areas

Initiative Topical Areas Divergent to test methodology Divergent to test methodology Significant to New York Significant to New York Represented in holdings of all types repositories Represented in holdings of all types repositories Able to leverage for action Able to leverage for action Topics Topics Mental Health Mental Health Environmental History Environmental History Latino/a History Latino/a History States’ Impact on Federal Education Policy States’ Impact on Federal Education Policy

The Planning Process Background research Background research Define subtopics for documentation Define subtopics for documentation Identify existing documentation Identify existing documentation Determine documentation priorities Determine documentation priorities Establish as DHP topical priority Establish as DHP topical priority

Access to Records Environmental History Research Collection Project Environmental History Research Collection Project Latino History Research Collection Project Latino History Research Collection Project States’ Impact on Federal Education Policy Project (SIFEPP) States’ Impact on Federal Education Policy Project (SIFEPP) Documentary Heritage Program (DHP) Grants Documentary Heritage Program (DHP) Grants

Next Steps: Describe the records Bring out the themes in descriptions Bring out the themes in descriptions Reveal hidden information Reveal hidden information Original Description Original Description Series consists of correspondence, memoranda, notes, reports and printed material. It was used to research areas of the deputy mayor's responsibility including fostering the economic growth of New York City. Subjects include the Office of Business Development, the Department of Ports and Trade and the Public Development Corp.

Enhanced Description ….. areas of responsibility included government fiscal management and economic growth; she also served as a representative of the Hispanic community ….. These include files related to all aspects of the mayor’s fiscal policies including relationships with unions, business associations, companies and government agencies. There are also a significant number of files dedicated to the 1992 Democratic National Convention.

Dept. of Forestry Extension records SUNY, CESF Roosevelt Wild Life Experimental Station records SUNY, CESF Prof. Charles C. Adams correspondence at the Adirondack Museum Library Prof. Charles C. Adams papers at the New York State Library Records relating to Charles Adams and his contributions to conservation thought and practice… Connecting the Collections.... forest zoologist Charles C. Adams..... spawned the idea that national parks can serve as the ideal locales for ecological study..

Temporary Study Commission on the Future of the Adirondacks records, AML George Davis papers, AML Professional papers, 1963– 1990, Jerry, Harold, Jr., NYSA Unifying TSCFA Subject, correspondence, and meeting files, 1967–1971. New York (State). Temporary Study Commission on the Future of the Adirondacks, NYSA Papers, 1969–1995, Jerry, Harold, Jr., NYSL Broadside collection, AML

Telling the Stories Grassroots Organizing: Latino-oriented organizations … form the base of political and grassroots organizing.... Juan Padilla; Sue Costa Collections (RMSC) Mercedes González; Margarita Madera Papers (DSI) Records of ASPIRA and United Bronx Parents (Centro) Gerald Meyer Collection (Hostos) Hispanic/Latino Collection (Hofstra) Partners in Learning; ANCLA; Spanish Action League Collections (OHA)

Raise Interest/Use DHP Grants to identify, survey and describe records DHP Grants to identify, survey and describe records Donations of related material Donations of related material Use in the classroom Use in the classroom Escuela Electronica Escuela Electronica Throughout the Ages Throughout the Ages Conference to raise awareness Conference to raise awareness

Outcomes to Date Growing constituencies for documentation Growing constituencies for documentation Increased collecting Increased collecting DHP grants program focus DHP grants program focus Population groups in the 20th and 21st Cent. Population groups in the 20th and 21st Cent. De-industrialization & economic revitalization in the 20th C. De-industrialization & economic revitalization in the 20th C. World Trade Center disaster World Trade Center disaster Education policy Education policy New documentation projects New documentation projects

Resources Publications from the NYS Archives Publications from the NYS Archives Topical Documentation Guides Topical Documentation Guides A Manual for Documentation Planning in New York State A Manual for Documentation Planning in New York State Resources available on State Archives website, Resources available on State Archives website,

Websites New York Heritage Project New York Heritage Project Environmental History project nt/ Environmental History project nt/ nt/ nt/ Latino History Project TBA Latino History Project TBA States Impact on Federal Education Policy States Impact on Federal Education Policy

For More Information Contact the New York State Archives Contact the New York State Archives (518) (518) New York State Archives Room 9D46 Cultural Education Center Albany, NY New York State Archives Room 9D46 Cultural Education Center Albany, NY 12230