The Civil War in Your Attic: Preserving the Legacy of Maryland and the Civil War
01/09/2012 02:16 pm
The 150th anniversary of the American Civil War provides a fresh opportunity to examine this watershed event in our nation's history and the profound impact it had on the lives of individuals. Many of the stories of those who lived during the period are told in the letters, diaries, photographs, and other documents that have been kept by families and handed down through the generations. Members of the Maryland History and Culture Collaborative, working with Maryland Digital Cultural Heritage and representatives from many local institutions, have partnered to create a statewide online collection of original Civil War manuscripts that remain in private hands. "The Civil War in Your Attic: Preserving the Legacy of Maryland and the Civil War" is a multi-year initiative to locate, digitize and provide worldwide access to the private documentary heritage of the American Civil War era located in Maryland.
In 2011 and 2012, "The Civil War in Your Attic" scanning events will be held at libraries and other institutions throughout the state. At these events, trained archivists, librarians, and digitization professionals will be scanning privately held manuscript material for inclusion on the Maryland Digital Cultural Heritage website. The project focuses on items created between 1859-1867 that reflect social, political, military, business, and religious life around the time of the Civil War and early Reconstruction periods. Individuals are encouraged to bring original family materials to be scanned and included in the project.
How You Can Participate
1. Locate items within your family collections that document the Civil War and the Civil War era. Items suitable for the project include:
Letters
Diaries
Daybooks / ledgers
Hand-drawn maps and sketches
Military passes / discharge papers
Pension materials
Reminiscences
Claims for damages
Photographs
Muster rolls, battle reports, dispatches, telegrams, paroles, oaths of allegiance
Items must be owned by the individual presenting the item for digitization. Materials that are photocopied and/or subject to copyright law will not be scanned. Documents do not have to be specific to Maryland.
2. Attend a scanning event. Be sure to bring as much information about the item(s) with you as possible. Appointments are strongly recommended. A schedule of scanning events and contact information can be found here.
Thurs. Jan. 19, 10:00am - 5:00pm
McDaniel College
Hoover Library
2 College Hill
Westminster, MD 21157
Contact Barbara O'Brien at bobrien@mcdaniel.edu or 410-857-2793
to schedule an appointment
