HistoryMiami Museum

The Historical Museum of Southern Florida (HMSF) is one of the largest private regional history museums in the Southeast. Founded in 1940, HMSF collects, preserves, exhibits, and interprets materials relating to the history and culture of southern Florida and the Caribbean. The IMLS grant will enable HMSF to increase public access to and intellectual control of its archives and object collections. HMSF’s collections, digital imaging, and metadata strategic plans are major multiyear cataloging, inventory, and digitization projects. Project activities will fulfill many of the plans’ goals, including the following: 1) retrospective MARC cataloging of 4,000 books; 2) original cataloging for a backlog of 50 books, 250 serials, 1,000 maps, and 1,000 prints; 3) conversion of Research Center finding aids to encoded archival description (EAD) format; 4) conversion of archaeological records to digital format; 5) shelf-by-shelf inventory of 75 percent of the 12,000-artifact Object Collections, including research, records checking, and digital photography; 6) development of collections guides and finding aids for subcollections in the Object Collections; 7) selection and digitization of 2,000 to 3,000 prints and photographs; 8) accessioning and indexing of primary resources generated by the Folk Life/Community Research Program; and 9) digitization of HMSF periodicals. Work will continue after the grant period has ended. Ultimately, HMSF will implement an online digital resource, providing public access to comprehensive information, images, and interpretive materials regarding the institutional collections, possibly with access to collections from other institutions elsewhere in Florida and the Caribbean. Greater access to and knowledge of HMSF’s collections will advance understanding of local history and stimulate greater interest in the region’s rich cultural heritage.