Methodological Strategies

I do not wish to duplicate Elizabeth Schaaf's thorough analysis of archival and research needs. I concur in her conclusions and recommend that:

• any and all original records at Hampton be carefully described in series analyses and transferred as a gift or a deposit to a responsible archival repository. All research resources at Hampton should be either secondary sources duplicated elsewhere, electronic files duplicated elsewhere, or copies of microfilm with the archival copies elsewhere. Artifacts need to be inventoried and stored in a proper environment as well, but an argument could be made for a facility for these on site.

• an investment in a computerized research facility be made the highest priority along with the retention of

• qualified staff to manage and maintain the computerized facility as well as oversee the research undertaken on behalf of intepretation

Such a system would be Windows for Workgroups 3.11 or Windows 95 compatible working through a server which operates over a Novell network utilizing an HTTP daemon to access and simulate the WEB. All files would be backed up through a recordable CD player/recorder which also would produce CD's for accessing files too large to transfer easily over the WEB (such as .avi or MPEG2 files for video and .au or .wav files for sound).

Visitors to Hampton and researchers working on aspects of Hampton's history should be able to access Hampton through the WEB to find out what resources are available and what work has already been undertaken. Research would also be managed under the umbrella of web-like environment. Not everything available locally would be accessible through the internet, but all would be managed the way files are seen and managed on the WEB. This report is an example of what I am suggesting. To implement such a program will require careful installation and management training, but it can be maintained by a minimum of qualified personnel and continually enhanced with additional work done by volunteers.

The WEB environment not only provides an excellent means of keeping track of and reviewing the research and writing done to date, but also is an excellent vehicle for publications and intereactive interpretive programs in kiosk-like environents where patrons learn as much as they like about what they see at Hampton.

It is important to understand that anyone can create a homepage and get themselves on to the WEB, but managing the information, adding to it, and assuring quality over the long run takes effort and skills that must be cultivated carefully in a permanent core staff whose mission in part is to ensure that those skills are not lost regardless of how frequently the staff turns over.

Such a proposition, of course, is true of any historical interpretation program whether or not the research and interpretation files are maintained electronically. Fortunately the task is easier in a computerized world and can be accomplished with a better mix of 'regular' employees and volunteers.

The type of system recommended here is in place at the Maryland State Archives and will shortly be installed at a private school in Baltimore. Hampton could have its own WEB server or could have its home page maintained at the State Archives or similar remote site. For an example of a home page see http://www.mdarchives.state.md.us

RECOMMENDATIONS

• create a WEB-like environment for the management of all research files, library resources, and publications (seek a cost proposal for doing so from the State Archives or similar not-for-profit service agency)

• manage all files (including paper files and library materials) through a database program that links to, and is capable of producing, HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) files

• conduct all biographical and topical research within a database framework, linking files in a relational way (examples comprise the electronic aspect of this report but require DBASE to access)

• convert all existing reports, datafiles, and selected secondary sources by OCR to searchable text files

• use an inexpensive text indexing program to access electronic information (Eclipse Find is used with this report, but is limited to character strings of three or more characters)

• place all publications and interpretative packages into HTML format and use the WEB browsers to view and print them

• access all files through a simulated WEB environment on a local network from which internet accessible files can be dervied (see model at the State Archives and soon to be installed at Boys' Latin School)

• compile electronically an indexed and comprehensive list of all known Ridgely related sources at the three principal repositories and through a systematic search through the growing number of on-line guides (e.g. OCLC) and printed catalogs (NUCMC)

• scan all photographs and other images (including drawings and plans) and access them on line via the database or a imaging cataloguing program which is used here to browse the images in Snell's 1980 Archaeological report

• print all publications and prepare all interpretive packages for distribution through offprints from the WEB either as electronically viewable files (Adobe ACROBAT is highly recommended) or as nicely printed output done in large print runs through conventional printing from WEB printer composed files or on demand through inexpensive printers on site

• create a home page for Hampton and make as much as is deemed useful and wise of the simulated WEB files available on the internet taking care to observe any copyright restrictions. What is fair use in a research environment may constitute copyright infringement on the Internet

Email: archives@mdarchives.state.md.us

or:

If you have an Email account linked to your WEB browser, click here to activate your mail program to send an inquiry or message to me at edpapen@iname.com. You may also reach me by phone at 410-974-3869 or 410-467-6137.

© Copyright 1995 Edward C. Papenfuse