The First Things First project is sponsored by the Nevada State Historical Records Advisory Board (NVSHRAB) and fully funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

Learn more about the fundamentals of archival work through the Knowledge Hub on the NVSHRAB website. Created by Elena Hinkle, Archival Consultant, and fully funded by the NHPRC, these resources provide practical, accessible guidance for individuals and organizations beginning archival projects

Post by Ellie Hinkle:

One of the most exciting experiences I have had as an archival consultant is getting to see the moment that an archival concept “clicks” for a client. It is often small: a shift of light in the eyes, or a comment like, “Oh, these documents belong in this collection, right?”

I am the archival consultant for the First Things First project. The project supports four Nevada repositories - Carson City Historical Society, the Nevada State Railroad Museum, Carson City Fire Department, and Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society - as they strengthen their archival practices and gain intellectual control over their collections.

When we first met, the participants all expressed similar feelings: excitement about the opportunity, and uncertainty about where to begin. Understanding those concerns helped me tailor my strategy for making archival work approachable for them.

We began with a series of three virtual instruction sessions covering archival fundamentals, intellectual control, and the collection survey template that would guide each repository's work. Then, I traveled from my home in Colorado to Nevada for a week of site visits. Although each repository shares the same goal of completing a collection-level survey by the end of the project, each has its own unique set of circumstances; there is no one-size-fits-all approach. 

Each site visit began with a tour and discussion of the organization’s goals. Some were ready to survey collections immediately, while others needed to focus first on organization, workflows, identifying collections, or improving storage practices. Rather than following a predetermined agenda, each visit was an opportunity to meet each repository where they were in their collection management journeys.

For several of the organizations, the site visits were where the “click” moment happened. Archival concepts that had seemed abstract during our instruction sessions became tangible when we stood together in front of their collections and applied the principles to real materials. 

Those moments are often small, but very rewarding. They mark the moment when archival work begins feeling less intimidating and more achievable. As the participants continue their surveys, I look forward to seeing more of those moments - and to sharing their collections (and hard work) with the public!

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