Archives Committee Member at Warren Heritage Society
Nonprofit: Warren Heritage Society
Period: August 2024 to Current
Serve on the Archives Committee supporting preservation, digitization, and public access to historical records. Contribute to digitization workflows, metadata improvement, researcher assistance, and community engagement initiatives focused on Warren County history.
Background
As part of the Leadership program at the Front Royal/Warren County Chamber of Commerce in 2022, I visited the Warren Heritage Society and became a member. Since then, I’ve attended numerous events, including historical lectures, themed gatherings, and those hosted by local organizations. My research has frequently taken me to the Laura Virginia Hale Archives, where I’ve explored maps, newspapers, and artifacts from the past. It’s a privilege to experience history in such a tangible way. My town, once known as the “breadbasket of the Confederacy” due to its strategic location with access to ferries and railroads, was also the site of the first Civil War battle. I’ve gained a deep understanding of the town’s history and its post-war recovery. Other local historical topics I’ve explored include the Ivy Lodge, the Avtex Fibers Superfund site, the Civil Rights era, Randolph Macon Academy, Skyline Caverns, and the Thunderbird Archeological Site.
Digitizing Newspapers
During my research, I discovered that both the Warren Heritage Society and Samuels Public Library possess newspaper volumes and microfilm that aren’t available online through the Virginia Chronicle. I’ve been working with these organizations and the Library of Virginia to digitize these materials, preserving them and making them accessible online for public search.
Systems & Process Improvement
As a committee member, I am evaluating the current physical storage and software systems and identifying improvements to enhance the organization and retrieval of information, both physical and digital. Additionally, I’ve been collaborating on strategies to increase community engagement through themed historical events, aiming to attract more people to the organization.
Following my continued efforts to digitize our collection, a workstation dedicated to digitization became available in January 2025. I digitize old books containing minutes, photos, negatives, hand-drawn maps, research notes, and more. In addition, I spend time transcribing cursive handwriting, with its unique flourishes and phrases from long ago, to make information easier to search.
Research & Public Access
I also assist researchers who come in to find materials, sometimes volunteering at the County’s historical society to look through old newspapers for articles on specific topics, to train them to use the system to find information, or to digitize materials so they have an electronic copy.
Assisted with on-site evaluation of historically significant materials at the former AVTEX Fibers facility to identify items suitable for archival acquisition.
Community Engagement
I regularly attend community events focused on Warren County’s history, including teas, lectures, dances, live performances, membership dinners, and fundraisers. These events help strengthen community awareness, support fundraising efforts, and encourage broader participation in local historical preservation.
