Preserving Cultural Heritage in Rural Areas: The Case of the Park County Local History Archives

Abstract

Local history archives are a vital component of community efforts to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of a region. Digital technology offers an opportunity to expand access to local archival materials beyond geographic boundaries and preserve fragile items. In rural areas, digital archives are seen as a catalyst for building more resilient communities. Community archives represent grassroots activities and are usually organized by volunteers. However, volunteer initiatives often face challenges of sustainability, especially if they are not affiliated with government agencies or heritage institutions. This paper presents a collaborative project between three partners: The Park County Local History Archives (PCLHA) in Colorado, a local government agency, and the library and information science (LIS) program at the University of Denver. The goals of the project are to preserve the PCLHA archival collections and to explore the way digital technology can be integrated to promote the unique heritage of the region and to contribute to sustainability efforts.