World–renowned historian Dr Roslyn Russell has completed a two-day assessment of a number of the collections housed at the Wingham Museum.
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The significant assessment of the archival and photographic collections was funded by a $6600 federal Community Heritage Grant awarded to the Manning Valley Historical Society and announced in 2016.
Dr Russell said she was very impressed with the archives at the museum and is currently preparing a report of her findings.
“She took lots of photos and asked lots of questions,” said MVHS president Barbara Waters.
“It was two very big days.”
In particular Dr Russell was paying close attention to the extensive LO Martin collection which includes old deeds and plans of the Cundle Estate.
LO Martin was a local solicitor and member of parliament in the 1940s.
A minutes book of the, now long gone, Wingham Primary Producers Association, donated by the late Betty Wadsworth, and the Taree hospital administration records from the early 1900s, were also of interest to Dr Russell.
“It was a wonderful experience for myself and the archives team,” said Barbara.
“It is not everyday you have someone of her calibre to assess a collection.”
Barbara expects Dr Russell’s report will offer guidelines of how to preserve the archival collections for the future.
Her findings will enable the MVHS to apply for another grant to allow a preservation needs assessment to be completed.
It is unclear how long it will be before the society receives the report but in the meantime Barbara and her team are still buzzing from the experience.
“It was just so interesting to have her here and watch her work,” admitted Barbara.
“Her professionalism was very impressive and she was impressed by our archives team and the hospitality extended to her by the volunteers.”
The experience for Barbara comes only months after she returned from a three-day intensive preservation and collection management workshop held at the National Library, the National Archives of Australia, the National Museum of Australia and the National Film and Sound Archive in Canberra.
Barbara’s trip was also funded by the community heritage grant.
At the time Barbara said the grant was important in supporting the effort to preserve Manning Valley Historical Society’s collection at the grassroots level.
“While the grant provides the funds, the workshop offers the expertise to help us protect our collection and make it accessible while it remains in the local context,” she said.
