Announcements and links to initiatives related to History 2.0 and the idea that, through the web, including mobile, history–preservation, interpretation, and presentation–is becoming more participatory. (This post describes one aspect of this change.)
Please send your suggestions for inclusion below.
Initiatives
- PhilaPlace.org (March 29, 2010 update): Nicely done, but while it provides an opportunity for others to submit
A screen from PhilaPlace.org
their own stories, photos, and videos, users can’t interact with the content that is provided, eliminating the possibility that others expand on a given topic, creating a coherent story that’s more complete and more interesting. Read the post.
- Main Memory Network: This effort is an excellent model for what could be done in other states or on a national level. Among other things, the Maine Memory Network enables individuals to contribute images and for communities to create their own community history site. The information below is from their site.
The Maine Memory Network, a project of the Maine Historical Society, provides access to thousands of historical items belonging to over 200 organizations from across Maine. Search for or browse these items, explore online exhibits, or create your own collection of images from the database.
Approximately 180 organizations from every corner of the state have contributed more than 12,000 primary documents to the MMN. This has enabled dozens of small collecting organizations to establish a Web presence and share their collections, at no cost to them.
View a list of contributors and search for their items.
Contributing Partners can upload, edit, and catalog items from their own locations. Each Partner has its own administrator’s password that allows for complete control over all digital files and cataloging records.
Scroll down if you are interested in learning more about contributing items from a public or private collection
Benefits of Contributing
- share your collections on the Internet
- provide better access to your collections to people in your community
- increased organizational visibility, which can lead to increased membership
- learn to scan and catalog your collections
- sell reproductions online through VintageMaineImages.com
- create online exhibits
- store your large digital scans and digital backups of your collection items
- decrease the handling of fragile documents
- develop relationships with local teachers and students
- City of Memory: Focused on New York City, users can add a story, with pictures, sound, and a video, to a map, as well as view curated stories.