findNHhistory.org is New Hampshire’s response to the Connecting to Collections initiative funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
This particular collections survey project began nearly 18 months ago when a group of archivists, librarians and museum professionals who are passionate custodians of New Hampshire’s special collections approached the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for funding to help raise the awareness of unique collections maintained in every New Hampshire town. New Hampshire—by virtue of a special history—possesses a rare array of special collections of primary objects and artifacts in widely ranging formats. In New Hampshire, a great portion of these rich collections are historically significant and carry enduring research value.
In February 2009, the IMLS awarded a Connecting to Collections: State wide Planning Grant to the NH State Library in partnership with the NH Department of Cultural Resources, the NH Division of Archives, the NH Historic Preservation Office, the NH State Council on the Arts and the NH Historical Society to survey the state’s unique collections housed in over 500 libraries, museums and archives. The survey process and the online database will serve as a portal to the state’s cultural resources, emphasizing the need for protection of imperiled and hidden collections.
findnhhistory.org is the only resource of its kind in New Hampshire that assembles information describing the thousands of special collections housed in over 1000 cultural organizations.
Partner representatives
Michael York, New Hampshire State Library
Elizabeth Muzzey, New Hampshire’s State Historic Preservation Office in the Division of Historic Resources
Lynn Graton, State Council on the Arts
Peter Wallner, NH Historical Society
Frank Mevers, State Archives
Steering Committee
Lynn Aber, NH Archives Group
Mary Russell, NH State Library
Carey Johnson, Curatorial Services of the Department of Cultural Resources
Karl Roenke, WhiteMountainHistory.org
Lori Fisher, Baker Free Library
Dick Boisvert, Archaeology Bureau in the Division of Historical Resources
Elizabeth Slomba, University of New Hampshire
Alan Rumrill, Historical Society of Cheshire County
Project Director
Janet Eklund, New Hampshire State Library
Digital Librarian and Website Developer
Lichen Rancourt, RemainingRelevant and Manchester City Library
