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Work has started on digitising precious archival documents held at the Warkworth Museum.
Under the guidance of NZ Maritime Museum staff, 11 volunteers are spending the next 12 weeks learning record management processes and how to photograph and uniquely code each item. The documents range from Minute books to certificates, wills, maps, plans, diaries and letters. Some of the Minute books date from the 1850s.
Museum manager Victoria Joule says that in many cases, it is the first time the documents have been seen since they were first filed.
“We’re learning more about our collection through this process and it will mean that in future, information will be easier to find,” Joule says. “It’s all about preservation and access.
“An increasing number of researchers and members of the public want access to this material and while visitors can view them at the museum, we are conscious that we are putting these unique treasures at risk of quicker degradation through handling them and exposing them to light.
“By creating digital images of the material, we can better preserve the originals while still providing access to the public. We’ve known this for some time, but lacked the funding, skills, knowledge and people to actually do it.
“So, we are very excited to be able to work with the Maritime Museum on the creation of a digi-hub. It’s a fantastic opportunity.”
Joules estimates it could take volunteers at least a decade to complete the digitisation all the paper records.
While the project is concentrating on archival material, photographic records are also being made of some of the objects in the wider museum collection.
Warkworth is the first museum in Auckland to benefit from the project, which the Maritime Museum plans to extend to all of Auckland’s 75 small to medium-sized heritage organisations. Warkworth was chosen to be first because its collection management system was well set up and the town has a strong maritime link.
Lead photographer Andrew Hales says it is important to understand each museum’s strengths and capabilities so the digi-hubs can be sustained.
One of the volunteers learning the digitisation process is Clare Dill, whose family has farmed in the Kaipara district for generations.
She said it was interesting to be digitising minute books from the Kaipara Flats Federated Farmers because it included many familiar names.
“It felt quite personal,” she said. “It also made me realise that farmers back then were facing the same issues – roading, rail lines, working with the local community – that we’re still discussing today.”
The collaborative project is funded largely by Te Puna Tahua Lottery Grants Board and Pub Charity.
Invitation
Members of the public are invited to visit the museum this month to see the digitisation project at work. A special public display will be available to view in the week April 15 to 19, from 10am to 2.30pm.
