PORTLAND HARBOR MUSEUM RECEIVES GRANT TO PRESERVE HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS

Portland Harbor Museum has received a grant of $383.00 to preserve and provide better access to two important historical collections of photographs and other documentary material relating to the New England Shipbuilding Corporation in South Portland and the World War II Liberty Ships that were produced there. Funds will be used to purchase archival-quality storage materials to properly house the two collections, and the project will produce finding aids to facilitate their use by researchers. The grant was funded by the New Century Community Program and the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

A recent report to the Maine Legislature documents the fact that many of Maine's historical collections (photographs, paintings, natural history collections, letters, etc.) are in danger of being lost to mold, mildew or misuse. Maine has an estimated 200 million historical records, many of which are in facilities with little or no security, fire protection, or environmental controls. Recent surveys show that Maine people in local government, historical societies, libraries, and are seeking help to preserve our heritage.*

The New Century Community Program has been an initiative of seven state agencies providing matching grants and technical assistance. Funded by the people of Maine, and supplemented by support from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, the program seeks to assist Maine communities in preserving their cultural and educational resources.

These local grants support community efforts to protect the stories of our birth, property rights, government, and how we lived our lives," noted Jim Henderson, Director of the Maine State Archives. "People need to document their birth to obtain a passport or to get medical care; others research their property boundaries; some seek long lost relatives or to understand the history of the old saw mill down the road. Without these precious records, most questions like this would remain unanswered."

Small grants have stimulated local citizens and organizations to commit more of their own resources to these projects. "Although financial support is important, recognition of local concerns and effort through an award also generates a substantial amount of enthusiasm," Henderson said.

The Historical Collections Grant Program has been a joint project of the Maine State Museum and the Maine State Archives, a Bureau within the Department of the Secretary of the State. Recent proposed state budget cuts will end grants for museum objects and reduce amounts available for historical records.

For information about the Historical Collections Grant Program, call Janet Roberts at 287-5791 or e-mail janet.roberts@maine.gov or visit our web site at http://www.state.me.us/sos/arc/mhrab/grant.htm
*Download the full report, HRREPT.DOC, at ftp://ftp.state.me.us/pub/archives/ .