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This is a special
interest topic issue of the listserv/newsletter sent via Blind
Copy to Historical Societies and interested parties from the Association of
Historical Societies of New Hampshire. If you
do not wish to receive this, simply hit Reply and respond, "Please
remove." Recipients are encouraged to participate by
posting inquiries and resources.
Up
Front:
In an earlier incarnation of this listserv, which
many of you are familiar with, there was a great deal of interest in the
catalogue software called PastPerfect. I would like to follow-up in two
ways. One, I would like to compile a list of all the NH historical
societies and museums who are using PastPerfect. Two, I would like to know
what workshops you are interested in having.
Actually, there is a third follow-up,
although as a project it is premature just now. But a
conversation may be in order. At the Hampton hosting of the Association, a
few years ago, someone suggested a long-term goal of a statewide collaborative
posting of our resources, using PastPerfect. Such an endeavor would
facilitate research, as well as sharing of resources for exhibitions.
Someone responded with concern that everyone would then know what we have--that
is, including burglars and vandals. But knowing we possess a particular
item does not tell where it is. At any rate, let's learn how to use
PastPerfect first. Then we can talk about
applications.
Contents:
Canterbury Shaker
Village
Newbury Historical Society
Mt. Kearsage Indian
Museum Remick
Farm Foundation
Nashua Historical
Society
Sugar Hill Historical Society
NH Boat
Museum
Thompson-Ames Historical Society
from Canterbury
Shaker Village:
We do use PastPerfect at CSV.
We received an NEH grant in 2001 to catalog 6000 objects into PP and I was hired
to manage that project... We finished that project last year, having
cataloged 11,000 objects.
This past fall, we received a 2-yr
grant to digitize 8,000 historic photographs into PP and use the Virtual Exhibit
component to do onsite and online exhibits. We just started digitizing and
it's great. I've been using PP exclusively since 2000 at various
institutions and have really enjoyed it. It's become my niche in a sense
(much to my surprise). I gave a talk on the uses of PP at the NH Archivist
Group meeting in 2003 and do consulting with area historical societies on
occasion. --Jenna
from Mt.
Kearsage Indian Museum:
MKIM is using Past Perfect for collections
management, donor and volunteer databases and we opened a library using the
softwares library module. We also hosted a three-day training here in
November (2004). --KK
from
Nashua:
The Nashua Historical Society uses
Past Perfect for everything but our library. We are hosting a Past Perfect
workshop on Monday, 2nd May through 5th May 2005. Thank you for your
newsletters. --Margaret
from
New Hampshire Boat Museum:
We have been using PP for Memberships/Contacts
and Collections for the past 5 or 6 years. If you are planning any
workshops please let us know. We have been pleased with the support and
updates. --Linda DaBica and Carol Cloutier
from
Newbury:
The Newbury Historical Society is just starting
to use PastPerfect. Just about any workshop would be good. How about
something for beginners on how to organize the collection for entering the data
into PastPerfect? --Bill
Ed. note: In the meanwhile, I refer
you to Barbara Rimkunas, Curator at Exeter H/S
(778-2335) and to Jenna Plante, Curator at
the Canterbury Shaker Village (783-9850) for
guidance.
from Remick
Farm Foundation:
We use PastPerfect. I have been to several
workshops on it. We always are interested in attending more as we get new
staff and volunteers who need the basics and others who need to refine their
skills with it. I would love to be involved in the statewide collaboration
using PastPerfect. --Bob
from Sugar
Hill:
We are digitizing our collection,
but not on PastPerfect, but a card file program created by our Asst.
Curator.
from
Thompson-Ames, Gilford:
We are using PastPerfect at the Thompson-Ames Historical Society in
Gilford. Any workshop would be welcome as it is a relatively complex
system which we don't fully take advanteage of. --Diane
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