PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Athenaeum is looking to digitize and preserve more than 300 oversized historic photos through a Community Preservation Act grant.
But it first needed the Historical Commission to endorse its eligibility.
Local History & Melville Collections acting Supervisor Ann-Marie Harris told the commission on Monday that the photos are a visual display of Pittsfield's history dating from mid-1800s to the 1970s. These photos were donated to and collected by the Local History Department staff over many years and are too large for scanning in the library's in-house environment. Many photos range to more than 20 inches by 18 inches.
They include a large collection of very early class photos from before the time of yearbooks, famous Pittsfield people, Berkshire County landscapes, and other historical photos and events that are useful for research, especially in genealogy.
Harris said these photos are "huge" when it comes to local history and genealogy because people have access to pictures of distant relatives and past families.
Once the photos are digitized and metadata is entered, the library's website will host a gallery section of the images. This website will be a gateway to a public photo website that patrons have free access to.
"If there is anything we've learned with the proliferation of media, it is the power of photos," athenaeum Director Alex Reczkowski wrote in his letter the Community Preservation Committee. "This project represents the CPA goal of historic preservation and is sure to be engaging for the community."
The Berkshire Family History Association, a non-profit group established in 1975 to foster the study of family history among beginners and experienced genealogists, is also in support of this project.
President Janet M. Rogge wrote:
"The historic oversized photos in the Special Collections are important to researchers, but access is difficult. Digitization of these photos will make them accessible and will ensure that they are preserved for future generations. This project will greatly enhance the holdings of the department and encourage researchers to more fully use the large photos in their research."
Harris explained that these photos include celebrations of businesses that were done in Pittsfield, historical neighborhood pictures, skiing and skating at Bousquet, and a large photograph of Henry L. Dawes, a Cummington native and Pittsfield resident who served Massachusetts in Congress as both a representative and a senator and an editor. He
"It's not that you cant find photos of Henry Dawes in other places," Harris said. "It's the Pittsfield connection to him."
Harris said the library has a quote for the digital archiving from Chicago Albumen Works in Housatonic, which has done projects for the library in the past.
They would first focus on digitalizing the photos from the 1850s, as they are deteriorating. Once digitized, these photos will be placed in archival folders and put away in the vault for safekeeping.
The Historical Commission agreed the project is eligible under the historic preservation portion of the CPA, which also funds open space, housing and recreation. On Nov. 23, the Community Preservation Committee will meet to make the final determination of eligibility.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Pittsfield Woman Dies After Being Rescued From Structure Fire
The Berkshire District Attorney's Office confirmed on Tuesday that Susan Steenstrup, 67, died after she was pulled from the blaze at 1 Marlboro Drive. The cause of death has not been confirmed.
Steenstrup was found on the second-floor by firefighters who responded to the blaze at about 6:45 p.m. She was taken by County Ambulance to Berkshire Medical Center.
The two-story, 1930s home is coned off and shows signs of the emergency response such as a broken front window where crews entered to rescue Steenstrup. The fire was reported to have spread from the kitchen and a cause has not yet been determined.
Steenstrup was the only occupant at the time. The home had been in her family since at least the 1960s.
Having fun on April vacation doesn't have to break the bank. From baby animals to recreational activities and crafts, there is an array of free or low-cost family events happening across the county this week. click for more
On Thursday, the panel approved a notice of intent application for the use of EarthTec QZ within a specified treatment area of the lake.
click for more
Residents mapped out a West Side they would like to see during an input session this week, utilizing multi-use properties to create robust density. click for more