Sippican Historical and Preservation Society

The future of SHS archives and collections has never looked brighter. Architect Will Saltonstall designed and oversaw the transformation of the top floor of the SHS to an archivally responsible storage and work space. The area was tightly sealed against the elements, prepared for appropriate temperature-humidity control, and has been equipped with storage furniture and archival housing into which the collections are being transferred. The Society is cataloging our collections, and scanning into the database photographs, fragile manuscripts and correspondence.

SHS and Elizabeth Taber Library Launch Local History Database

A treasure trove of Marion history is now available at the Elizabeth Taber library in the form of a local history database. Several years ago, the Sippican Historical Society (SHS) set out to catalog its collection and to widen access to the collection through a public database of local history. This database is now located at the Taber Library and includes over 4500 individual records and 2700 images. It will be an important resource for anyone interested in any aspect of Marion’s past such as family history, development of the town, private and public buildings and local events. The scope of the database is enormous, covering a period from the 18^th century to present, topics ranging from whaling to hurricanes, materials from newspaper clippings to paintings. Images of photographs, postcards, newspaper clippings, scrapbooks, deeds, archives, paintings and objects are now instantly accessible to researchers. It also marks a significant step towards the long-term preservation of the Society’s collection by minimizing the need to handle original documents.

Some highlights:

- Genealogists can search for information on over 3000 individual Marion residents and will find photographs, birth, marriage or death notices, or associated documentation.

- The John Bates Diaries Collection includes over 1000 individual records of daily Marion events between 1908 to1960, including detailed descriptions of hurricanes, and the introduction of electric street lights in Marion.

- For those interested in historical images of Marion, the Society’s extensive postcard collection is now fully accessible through the database.

The library has been pleased to be a part of this co-operative research project. “We feel that all organizations in Marion should take advantage of each other’s resources as much as possible”, noted Judy Kleven, Director of the Elizabeth Taber Library. “The digital aspect of this catalogue made it a perfect match for the historical society with its large space for storage and the library’s being open to patron access and reference assistance every day of the week.”

The database presents unlimited possibilities such as linking catalog records to digital movies, digital audio, web pages and PDF files. SHS plans to continue expanding the scope and content of the database. It welcomes the opportunity to borrow documents that can be scanned and added to the database making the information accessible in a meaningful way to researchers, and the original document can be returned to its owner.

A dedicated team of volunteers devoted many hours to create this unique resource including: Dick Anderson, SHS President; Pete Smith, Curator; Tess Cederholm, Jack Wheatley, Pippen Cook, Elizabeth Bunnell, and Ann Harris. Jenny O’Neill is the Project Director. Anyone interested in helping (no prior experience needed!) or offering material for inclusion in the database should contact the Sippican Historical Society at 508-748-1116.