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Florida's Historical Records Projects Preserve and Enrich State's History
Florida's historical records projects have received significant funding over the years, contributing to a better understanding of the state's history and diverse cultural groups. Between 1975 and 2021, these projects have been awarded a total of $3,713,662.
The Florida State Historical Records Advisory Board has been a key player in these efforts, receiving funding for various projects. For instance, they received $25,000 for their Development and Training Regrant II Project, $100,000 for their Regrant Project, and $50,000 to support education and training for archivists and records custodians. Additionally, they received $100,000 ($100,000 matching) for a two-year regrant project to address the goals in the board's recently revised strategic plan.
Several universities have also benefited from these funds. The University of West Florida received $140,777 for the Papers of Panton, Leslie, and Company (1975-83), while the University of Florida received $85,814 for a two-year project to establish a university website and records management program. The University of Miami was awarded $153,809 to process 1,600 linear feet of the records of the Pan American World Airways collection, 1927-1991.
City governments have also been recipients of these grants. The City of Miami is receiving $110,000 to develop and implement a comprehensive website and records management program, and the City of Tampa received $61,017 to develop a city website program, the first of its type in Florida (87-072).
These projects have helped capture the narratives of various cultural communities, including indigenous peoples, African Americans, Hispanic populations, and immigrant groups. For example, Florida A & M University received $3,000 to assist the Black Archives Research Center in a project to collect, preserve, and make available the records of Florida's former all-black school system.
By funding archival collections, oral history projects, and public history initiatives, these Records Projects have enabled scholars, students, and the public to explore Florida’s social, cultural, and political development over time. They facilitate research that highlights the experiences and contributions of underrepresented groups, supporting a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of Florida’s past.
These projects also assist in safeguarding primary source materials such as letters, photographs, government documents, and personal testimonies that provide vital evidence for reconstructing local histories and cultural identities in the state throughout the modern era.
In addition to the records projects, the Florida Division of Library and Information Services received $10,000 to support the Florida Board's work for one year, and the Florida Department of State received $5,500 to complete a new strategic plan for the state board and participate in a national archival organization.
The Louis Wolfson II Media History Center, for instance, received $87,070 for its South Florida Television Preservation and Access Project. The University of Central Florida was awarded $330,253 to create a digital repository of 2,700 letters from Anabaptists, Quakers, and Pietist refugees to the American Colonies (1630-1730).
These projects have significantly contributed to the understanding of Florida's history and its diverse cultural groups. They have helped enrich the historical record with perspectives that traditional sources often overlook, making them an invaluable resource for scholars, students, and the public alike.
Education and self-development opportunities have been facilitated through the Florida Historical Records Projects, with universities such as the University of West Florida, University of Florida, and University of Miami receiving funding for programs related to archival collections, oral history projects, and records management. General news about these projects highlights their importance in promoting a comprehensive understanding of Florida's history and diverse cultural groups, as well as their role in safeguarding primary source materials and providing perspectives that traditional sources often overlook.
