North Carolina State Archives

North Carolina State Archives. The North Carolina General Assembly established the archives in 1903, with the goal of collecting and preserving the state's historical records, including those from the American Civil War and the American Revolution. The archives are part of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and work closely with the State Library of North Carolina and the North Carolina Museum of History. The archives also collaborate with other institutions, such as the Library of Congress and the National Archives and Records Administration, to provide access to historical records and promote historical preservation.

● History

The history of the archives dates back to the early 20th century, when the North Carolina General Assembly recognized the need to preserve the state's historical records, including those from the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence and the Halifax Resolves. The archives were established in 1903, with Bartlett Yancey as its first chief administrator, and were initially housed in the North Carolina State Capitol building. Over the years, the archives have moved to several locations, including the North Carolina Legislative Building and the Archives and History Building, which was designed by William Henry Deitrick and completed in 1969. The archives have also been involved in various projects, such as the Civil War Centennial Commission and the American Bicentennial celebrations, and have worked with notable historians, including C. Vann Woodward and David McCullough.

● Collections

The archives hold a vast collection of historical records, including documents from the Colonial Era, the American Revolution, and the American Civil War, as well as records from the State of Franklin and the Province of North Carolina. The collections include papers from notable individuals, such as Thomas Wolfe, William Faulkner, and Zora Neale Hurston, as well as records from institutions, such as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the North Carolina Central University. The archives also have an extensive collection of maps, including those created by John White and Thomas Hariot, and a large collection of photographs, including those taken by Dorothea Lange and Walker Evans. Additionally, the archives have records from various counties, including Mecklenburg County, Wake County, and Durham County, and from cities, such as Charlotte, North Carolina, Raleigh, North Carolina, and Wilmington, North Carolina.

● Facilities

The archives are currently housed in the Archives and History Building, which is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is part of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources complex. The building was designed by William Henry Deitrick and completed in 1969, and features a large reading room, exhibition spaces, and storage areas for the archives' collections. The archives also have a laboratory for conservation and preservation work, which is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, including scanners and digitization equipment. The archives are also involved in various partnerships, including those with the North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, to provide access to historical records and promote historical research.

● Services

The archives provide a range of services, including research assistance, photocopying, and digitization of historical records. The archives also offer exhibitions and public programs, including lectures and workshops, which are designed to promote historical awareness and cultural heritage. The archives work closely with historians, researchers, and students from institutions, such as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the North Carolina State University, to provide access to historical records and support historical research. Additionally, the archives provide outreach services, including traveling exhibitions and educational programs, to promote historical preservation and cultural awareness in communities across the state.

● Conservation_Efforts

The archives have a strong commitment to conservation and preservation of historical records, and have implemented various measures to ensure the long-term preservation of the collections. The archives have a laboratory equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, including scanners and digitization equipment, and a team of conservators and preservation specialists who work to conserve and preserve the collections. The archives also work closely with other institutions, such as the Library of Congress and the National Archives and Records Administration, to stay up-to-date with the latest conservation techniques and preservation methods. The archives are also involved in various projects, including the National Digital Newspaper Program and the Chronicling America project, to digitize and make available historical records, including those from the Raleigh News and Observer and the Charlotte Observer.

● Governance

The archives are governed by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, which is responsible for overseeing the state's cultural institutions, including the North Carolina Museum of History and the North Carolina Symphony. The archives are also advised by the North Carolina Historical Commission, which is composed of historians, researchers, and community leaders who provide guidance on the archives' collections and programs. The archives work closely with other state agencies, such as the North Carolina State Library and the North Carolina Office of Archives and History, to provide access to historical records and promote historical preservation. The archives are also accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and the Society of American Archivists, and are a member of the Council of State Archivists and the National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators. Category:Archives in the United States