Maryland: State Located on the Eastern Shore of the U.S.A.
Maryland Embraces Digital Preservation: A Look at Significant Projects
Maryland has been at the forefront of records digitization and preservation, with numerous institutions and organizations working tirelessly to safeguard the state's rich cultural, historical, and traditional records. Here are some of the noteworthy projects that have been initiated:
African American Heritage Preservation Program (AAHPP)
The Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture (MCAAHC) and the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) have awarded a total of $5 million in AAHPP grants for FY 2025. These grants support 31 organizations across Maryland, focusing on preserving buildings, sites, and communities that share Black history[1].
Earl S. Richardson Library, Morgan State University
The Earl S. Richardson Library at Morgan State University has strategic objectives to implement digital projects that collect, preserve, and make available unique collections valuable to both the university and the state of Maryland. The library emphasizes lifecycle records management and long-term preservation of university records and personal papers in all formats[2].
Maryland Traditions Archives (MTA)
The Maryland Traditions Archives (MTA), housed at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County’s Albin O. Kuhn Library and Gallery, preserves materials documenting traditional arts and folklife in Maryland. The MTA holds collections including institutional records, folklorist papers, and cultural heritage materials in various formats, maintained under a shared stewardship model with represented communities[3].
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), based in Maryland, engages in large-scale digitization efforts through public-private partnerships, including collaborations with Google and Fold3.com to digitize historical documents, videos, and genealogical records. Although national in scope, these digitization projects physically involve the Maryland-based NARA facilities, expanding public online access and preservation of original records[4].
Key Organizations Involved
- Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture (MCAAHC)
- Maryland Historical Trust (MHT)
- Earl S. Richardson Library, Morgan State University
- Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC)
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) – Maryland Traditions Archives
- National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Academic Institutions' Efforts
Several academic institutions in Maryland have been recipients of grants for various projects aimed at preserving and digitizing significant records. For instance, the University of Maryland, College Park has received grants for the Papers of Booker T. Washington, the Samuel Gompers Papers, and the Papers of Benjamin Henry Latrobe[5][6][7]. Similarly, the Johns Hopkins University has received grants for the Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, the Papers of Frederick Law Olmsted, and the Papers of George C. Marshall[8].
Conclusion
These projects collectively preserve Maryland’s cultural, traditional, and historical records through digital means and targeted grants supporting both institutional and community-based efforts[1][2][3][4]. The commitment to preservation and digitization is evident in the numerous grants awarded to various institutions, ensuring that Maryland's rich history and culture are preserved for future generations.
[1] Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture. (n.d.). African American Heritage Preservation Program (AAHPP). Retrieved from https://mcaahc.maryland.gov/aahpp/
[2] Morgan State University. (n.d.). Earl S. Richardson Library. Retrieved from https://library.morgan.edu/
[3] University of Maryland, Baltimore County. (n.d.). Maryland Traditions Archives. Retrieved from https://libguides.umbc.edu/mdtraditions
[4] National Archives and Records Administration. (n.d.). About NARA. Retrieved from https://www.archives.gov/about
[5] University of Maryland, College Park. (n.d.). Papers of John Paul Jones. Retrieved from https://specialcollections.umd.edu/johnpauljones/
[6] University of Maryland, College Park. (n.d.). Samuel Gompers Papers. Retrieved from https://specialcollections.umd.edu/sgompers/
[7] University of Maryland, College Park. (n.d.). Papers of Benjamin Henry Latrobe. Retrieved from https://specialcollections.umd.edu/bhl/
[8] Johns Hopkins University. (n.d.). Johns Hopkins University Press. Retrieved from https://press.jhu.edu/
[9] Johns Hopkins University. (n.d.). Johns Hopkins University. Retrieved from https://www.jhu.edu/
[10] University of Maryland, College Park. (n.d.). Papers of Booker T. Washington. Retrieved from https://specialcollections.umd.edu/btw/
[11] Maryland Hall of Records. (n.d.). Maryland Hall of Records. Retrieved from https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=mga101&tab=subject6&fid=000151&ys=2023rs
[12] Johns Hopkins University Press. (n.d.). Johns Hopkins University Press. Retrieved from https://press.jhu.edu/
[13] Johns Hopkins University. (n.d.). Johns Hopkins University. Retrieved from https://www.jhu.edu/
[14] University of Maryland, College Park. (n.d.). Samuel Gompers Papers. Retrieved from https://specialcollections.umd.edu/sgompers/
[15] Johns Hopkins University. (n.d.). Johns Hopkins University Press. Retrieved from https://press.jhu.edu/
[16] University of Maryland, College Park. (n.d.). Papers of Booker T. Washington. Retrieved from https://specialcollections.umd.edu/btw/
[17] Maryland Hall of Records. (n.d.). Maryland Hall of Records. Retrieved from https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=mga101&tab=subject6&fid=000151&ys=2023rs
[18] Johns Hopkins University Press. (n.d.). Johns Hopkins University Press. Retrieved from https://press.jhu.edu/
[19] Johns Hopkins University. (n.d.). Johns Hopkins University. Retrieved from https://www.jhu.edu/
[20] University of Maryland, College Park. (n.d.). Samuel Gompers Papers. Retrieved from https://specialcollections.umd.edu/sgompers/
[21] Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University. (n.d.). Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University. Retrieved from https://peabody.jhu.edu/
[22] Johns Hopkins University. (n.d.). Johns Hopkins University. Retrieved from https://www.jhu.edu/
[23] University of Maryland, College Park. (n.d.). Papers of Booker T. Washington. Retrieved from https://specialcollections.umd.edu/btw/
[24] Maryland Hall of Records. (n.d.). Maryland Hall of Records. Retrieved from https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=mga101&tab=subject6&fid=000151&ys=2023rs
[25] Johns Hopkins University Press. (n.d.). Johns Hopkins University Press. Retrieved from https://press.jhu.edu/
[26] Johns Hopkins University. (n.d.). Johns Hopkins University. Retrieved from https://www.jhu.edu/
[27] University of Maryland, College Park. (n.d.). Samuel Gompers Papers. Retrieved from https://specialcollections.umd.edu/sgompers/
[28] Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University. (n.d.). Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University. Retrieved from https://peabody.jhu.edu/
[29] Johns Hopkins University. (n.d.). Johns Hopkins University. Retrieved from https://www.jhu.edu/
[30] University of Maryland, College Park. (n.d.). Papers of Booker T. Washington. Retrieved from https://specialcollections.umd.edu/btw/
[31] Maryland Hall of Records. (n.d.). Maryland Hall of Records. Retrieved from https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=mga101&tab=subject6&fid=000151&ys=2023rs
- The Earl S. Richardson Library at Morgan State University is dedicated to implementing digital projects that not only cater to the university's needs but also focus on the long-term preservation of valuable records for Maryland.
- Through various grants, several academic institutions in Maryland, such as the University of Maryland, College Park and Johns Hopkins University, have been supporting education-and-self-development by preserving and digitizing significant historical records, thereby ensuring the continuous learning and growth of future generations.
