Posted by
Team Turk on Thursday, August 31, 2006 10:24:25 PM
My wife, Donna, and I attended the public hearing last night at the Gem Theater on the Black Archives hosted by the Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon. We were heartened to hear so many community leaders pledge their support to revitalize the Archives and disappointed our current representative was unable to attend.
A retired archivist speaking on the subject of the difficulties of preservation and the expertise needed to save memorabilia, documents, photographs, artifacts, etc. sparked a discussion between us on the ride home.
The primary concern for us is that all the materials are preserved while discussion moves forward on a community-based solution for a permanent home for the collection. We suggest the Smithsonian be contacted to use their financial muscle to obtain a grant to bring the materials to their preservation center for their preservationists to stop any further deterioration of the collection and to house the material safely until an adequate permanent home can be created in Kansas City.
Such a permanent home will need to address community concerns about access for both researchers and area youth groups from schools and clubs. It will have to have a plan for events to illustrate the importance of maintaining and supporting the Black Archives with donations and volunteer hours. Whatever board is created will need the respect of both the urban community and the business community to ensure long term success for the very important role the Black Archives should be playing in promoting understanding and awareness of African-American history in Kansas City and beyond.
There is now an exciting opportunity to provide a solid foundation for the Black Archives. In my campaign, I will raise awareness in the district of the effort and, if I am elected to be your representative, will work with the Smithsonian and other non-profits to enlist their help in bringing this dream to fruition.
Jacob Turk