Schenectady County Historical Society

The Schenectady County Historical Society will survey historical records created by individuals and organizations in the African American community of Schenectady County. A consulting project archivist will work with an advisory committee, museum staff and student assistants to conduct site visits to review record collections, document those of enduring historic value, and log responses to survey questions from creators, collectors, and custodians of historical records. Public programs will promote the project and provide information to the community on topics such as preservation and family history. The project team will analyze the survey data and develop a searchable online catalog that identifies the location of records, their condition, and whether they are accessible to the public. This project will encourage community stewardship of historical records, engage the community to foster archival preservation, and strengthen relationships between the museum and community partners.