June 19, 2009

CORVALLIS, Ore. - Oregon State University has received a grant of $300,000 from the National Endowment for the Humanities to continue and expand the Northwest Digital Archives, a multi-institutional effort that provides integrated access to significant archival and manuscript materials in the Northwest.

The Oregon State University Libraries provides the leadership for the project, while Washington State University hosts the infrastructure and provides technical support.

These archival materials are available through a union database of "Encoded Archival Descriptions" - or EAD - available online at nwda.wsulibs.wsu.edu. The materials are from participating repositories in a four-state region that includes Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana.

This two-year phase of the project, which begins July 1, builds on the original grant by NEH that established the consortium in 2002, according to Larry Landis, the university archivist. Since the project was launched, the Northwest Digital Archives has coordinated nearly 2,400 "finding aids" - which are detailed descriptive guides - that outline archival collections at the contributing repositories.

With the additional funding from NEH, the database will increase by at least 1,600 finding aids, and expand to at least 16 repositories from the original 11.

Participating institutions include the Idaho State Historical Society (new); Montana Historical Society; the University of Montana; City of Portland Archives (new); Oregon Historical Society; Oregon State University; University of Oregon; Center for Pacific Northwest Studies at Western Washington University; Eastern Washington State Historical Society (new); Gonzaga University (new); Pacific Lutheran University; Seattle Museum of History and Industry (new); University of Washington; Washington State Archives (six branches); Washington State University; and Whitworth College.

Many of the institutions lie within the Columbia River watershed, providing a geographic unity in the archives that extends beyond state borders. Significant common subjects include:

  • The major economic forces in the region, such as agriculture, forest products, fisheries, and natural resources;
  • Urban and rural social and progressive movements;
  • Local, state, regional, and national politics;
  • Outdoor recreation;
  • Native American language and culture;
  • The place of religious communities in the region.

    "In many ways, the separate collections at the participating institutions represent one massive interrelated collection that documents the political, cultural, and natural history of the Northwest region," Landis said.

    University Librarian Karyle Butcher said OSU is "excited to continue playing a lead role in the Northwest Digital Archives.

    "It complements the OSU Libraries' commitment to enhancing access to information through digital technology," she pointed out.

    Landis will continue as the consortium director; questions about the Northwest Digital Archives can be directed to him at larry.landis@oregonstate.edu or 541-737-0540.

    • Source: 

    Larry Landis, 541-737-0540

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