Georgia Historical Society Expands Community Archives Initiative

The Georgia Historical Society (GHS) has announced an expansion of its Community Archives Initiative, introducing digital crowdsourcing capabilities aimed at enhancing public engagement and participation. This innovative extension allows individuals from across Georgia to contribute to the preservation of the state’s history by tagging photographs and transcribing historical documents.

Launched in 2024, the Community Archives Initiative focuses on expanding GHS’s archival collection through direct collaboration with local communities. The digital crowdsourcing feature is designed to make GHS collections more searchable and accessible to researchers, educators, and the general public. This initiative receives support from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission and Georgia-Pacific, reinforcing the importance of collaborative preservation efforts.

Empowering Community Participation

Participants can engage in this remote volunteer opportunity from anywhere with internet access. By selecting various GHS archival materials available online, volunteers can assist by tagging photos, identifying people, places, and events, or transcribing handwritten documents. No special access or login is necessary to begin, making it straightforward for anyone interested in contributing.

To facilitate participation, GHS provides a user-friendly online guide that outlines how to effectively engage with the archives. LaPortia Mosley, GHS Community Engagement Officer, emphasized the initiative’s flexibility, stating, “This is a great way for people to engage with history on their own schedule, from wherever they are.” She noted that contributions from individuals—whether students, retirees, or lifelong learners—can help uncover and preserve important narratives within the archives.

One of the initial collections featured for digital crowdsourcing includes the records of the Academy of Black Culture Inc. and the Savannah Model Cities Program. This collection documents a significant period of African American community activism and education in Savannah during the 1970s. Volunteers are invited to assist in tagging photographs from this collection by identifying key individuals and events.

Former Savannah mayor Otis Johnson, along with his brother Paul Johnson, recently participated in tagging photos from the Academy of Black Culture Inc. collection. Reflecting on their contributions, Otis Johnson remarked, “In local history, by doing what we’re doing today, we’re filling in some of that gap. We filled in a small part of a big part that needs to be filled.”

Enhancing Accessibility and Representation

The Community Archives Initiative aims to capture a comprehensive view of Georgia’s diverse history. Mosley stated, “The community’s effort is invaluable to ensuring GHS’ collection fully reflects the people and experiences that make up the rich tapestry of Georgia’s history.” The initiative not only seeks to engage volunteers but also strives to make GHS’s vast resources more accessible to anyone interested in understanding the past.

GHS collects a wide range of materials, including paper archival records, photographic materials, books, artifacts, audio-visual materials, and born-digital records. This diverse collection serves as a vital resource for preserving Georgia’s historical narratives.

For those interested in getting involved with the Community Archives Initiative, further details are available on the GHS website at georgiahistory.com/CAI. Individuals can also reach out to Mosley at [email protected] for more information on participating in this meaningful endeavor.