Up-and-Comers
Author: Adrienne Evans (University of Wisconsin–Madison)
Citizen-led archives exist in many forms—some are small historical societies tasked with documenting a locality; others are community archives that seek to preserve the history of a specific social or ethnic group. These efforts vary in size, sophistication, and prerogative, but they are often managed and staffed by nonprofessionals. This should not detract from the value of these organizations. Citizen-led archives help diversify the historic record; they may preserve aspects of history that institutional archives have neither the space nor the collection scope to save. Furthermore, they are evidence that individuals outside of the cultural heritage profession are not only interested in history, but are eager to actively preserve and facilitate access to it.
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How to Cite: Evans, A. (2014) “Action! Cooperation! Independence! Sustaining Citizen-led Archives in the Midwest”, MAC Newsletter. 42(2).