columbus memory project

Columbus Memory was created through a partnership of Columbus Metropolitan Library and the Columbus Historical Society. This site will be a first in making accessible unique and rare items from both instiutional archives. Learn about our city’s history, research your unique topic, or loan items to be electronically preserved and shared.

This new digital collection is the result of a yearlong collaborative project with the Columbus Metropolitan Library. In October 2009, the Library was awarded a $55,000 grant by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services for Innovative Technology and Digitization. Funding from the grant was used to purchase an open book scanner with the capability to scan fragile material, oversized items and artifacts in both organizations’ collections.

The Columbus Memory project houses historic material from both organization’s collection along with two donor collections — the Doug Davis 1913 Flood collection and the Reeb, Deibel, Ruffing Columbus Postcard and Sheet Music collection donated by Laura M. Mueller. The database also features an interactive time line of the city of Columbus, along with a Teacher Resource pages designed to address the needs of third grade teachers and students who learn about primary resources such as documents, letters, maps, and photographs. A link is also provided to the Columbus Historical Society Lesson Plans.

Following in the tradition of American Memory sponsored by the Library of Congress, Columbus Memory will be a resource not just for the citizens of Columbus, but the global community. Visit Columbus Memory to learn how you can contribute.