Heritage Program Categories & Examples

1) Basic Research

A basic research project investigates a significant cultural or historical theme in the state, county, or community, using primary source materials found in a local historical society, public library, county courthouse, private collection, and/or a state archive.

For Example

The Finney County Historical Society used photographs, documents, and other sources to trace the history of Volga German migration to Southwest Kansas after 1905. A traveling display and Octoberfest celebration shared the results with Garden City residents.

The Dyck Arboretum of the Plains in Hesston researched the history of the area's Osage Orange hedgerows. A student researcher prepared a report on the historic role of hedgerows in fencing and land stewardship, and the gradual removal of these Plains landmarks. The Arboretum created an interpretive sign, news articles, and guides for teachers.

St. Joseph Church in New Almelo used census records, agricultural reports, and cemetery records to create a computer database and index of the northwest Kansas community's residents from 1878 through 1995. The project was described at a public meeting and will provide background for the community's 125th anniversary activities.

2) Oral History

An oral history project records interviews with eye witnesses to historical events on audiotape (and also videotape if desired) and transcribes them to create a permanent record.

The project should have well-defined objectives and focus on a single subject area. Please see special guidelines which outline the expectations for oral history projects.

For Example

The Kansas National Farmers Organization used oral history to explore the development of the NFO from its origins as a farm protest movement in the 1950s through its evolution into a collective bargaining unit for farmers. The values of early organizers, the role of women in the movement, and the relationship between NFO tactics and those of other farm groups were covered in interviews with farmers and early NFO leaders. Three half-hour video programs were created and broadcast on cable television.

The Republic County Historical Society examined the effects of World War II on the county's residents through interviews with those who contributed to the war effort on the homefront, including farmers, women, and those who were children. The interviews were transcribed and excerpts compiled into a booklet made available to libraries, schools, and senior centers.

The First National Black Historical Society collected interviews, photographs, and taped musical examples from African American blues musicians in Wichita. The project explored the evolution of the Wichita style of blues, collected folklore relating to the blues, and examined the impact of segregation, integration, and other issues on the musicians' personal and professional development.

3) Cataloging/Indexing

A cataloging/indexing project involves the organization and description of documents, tapes, photographs, artifacts, or other resource materials (but not books, newspapers, or newspaper clippings) housed in a public repository, with the goal of making those materials more accessible to the public.

Projects should focus on collections which will lead to interpretation of significant themes in community life or history, and should go beyond the creation of simple inventories or lists. Please request special guidelines for photograph projects.

For Example

The Mennonite Heritage Museum received a grant to catalog a 500-piece textile collection of Russian Mennonite clothing, including head coverings, wedding dresses, and handwork. The cataloging research provided insight into immigrant life and the acculturation process, and revealed changes in gender roles and religious traditions from the 1870s through the 1950s.

The Franklin County Historical Society cataloged a 5,000-piece collection of photographs from early Ottawa history, including pictures of the early-day Chautauquas (1883-1914) and stereographs by a local firm of national reputation. Photographs were displayed at the Ottawa library to publicize the contents of the collections and encourage their use by researchers and local historians.

4) Care of Collections

A care of collections project involves cleaning, preserving, and providing for the public use of unique photographs, artifacts, and manuscripts.

Please request special guidelines for photograph projects.

For Example

The Reno County Historical Society created copy negatives of its 1,500-piece photograph collection, then placed the negatives and original photographs in archival storage boxes at separate locations. Contact sheets were printed and placed in binders for use by researchers. A photo display and talks to local organizations publicized the project.

The Wichita Public Library surveyed its large manuscript collection, placing items in archival storage boxes and identifying significant collections for cataloging. At the conclusion of the project, costumed readers read selections from the manuscripts at a public meeting to highlight the contents of the collection for patrons.

5) Language Preservation

A language preservation project seeks to perpetuate the use of a non-English language in a community through the documentation and/or teaching of a language or dialect.

For Example

The Potawatomi group BWAKA videotaped elders conversing and telling traditional stories in the Potawatomi language. The tapes were used to create a multimedia vocabulary list which was placed on the Internet. Visitors to the web site can see the written word in both Potawatomi and English, hear its pronunciation, and view a picture of the elder who is speaking. The tapes will ultimately be used to create tools for reteaching the language to Potawatomi children.

The Bukovina Society of the Americas and the Finney County Historical Society sponsored a project to document the German dialects spoken by Kansas's recent Mennonite immigrants from Mexico. Information from interviews with this group and other German speakers in Kansas will be compiled into a Linguistic Atlas of Kansas German and made available both in print and via the Iinternet.