Preserving African American Artifacts in South Carolina

Preserving African American Artifacts

Museums

About This Resource

Artifacts are embedded with the memories, stories, emotions, and values of the ancestors, a tangible connection to African American history. Yet many museums have historically not collected these objects equitably. This is why we see preserving African American artifacts, both at home and in museums, as a little discussed but key part of Black historic preservation.
Within this Artifacts topic page you will find resources curated from across the SC Preservation Toolkit related specifically to preserving African American artifacts or objects, both in a museum setting or at home. Whether you are new to this work or a long-time advocate, this page’s blog posts on artifacts, related How-To Guides, helpful resource links, and relevant Tools will help you be successful in preserving your African American heritage through artifacts.

Knowledge Center

Top 10 Tips for Preserving Your Family Artifacts

Top 10 Tips for Preserving Your Family Artifacts

Ramon M. Jackson, PhD May 19, 2024 The Learning Lab series provides practical tips, advice, and guidance on specific historic preservation topics that are relevant to African American preservation projects. We hope these posts help community members and leaders better...

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How To Guides

Explore a range of best practices, tips and tricks with our handy “how to” guides before you start your preservation project.

How to Acquire a State Historical Marker

A guide to the process of applying for, reviewing, and installing a State Historical Marker for your historic space.

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How to Apply for the National Register of Historic Places

A guide to the process of preparing for, researching, writing, and the review stages for getting your historic space listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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How to Start a Preservation Project

A guide on beginning a project to save your local historic space or place.

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How to Apply for a Preservation Grant

A guide to setting the stage for your project to get preservation funding.

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Helpful Resources

A Quick Guide to the Preservation of Artifacts

PDF guide offerring a quick overview of collections practices for the preservation of artifacts and objects

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Memory Work as Care Work: Black Archives and Archival Practices

“Memory Work as Care Work” explores the ways Black archives and archival practices testify to the complexity of how Black life is lived, documented, and remembered. During this conversation three archival experts discuss memory work as a practice that goes beyond archival labor.

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Guide to Collections Care

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Preserve Black History in Your Own Backyard Toolkit

A resource-filled toolkit to help communities explore the contributions of Black Americans to national history.
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Preserving Black History Resource List

Collection of mapping projects, context statements, organizations, podcasts, and stories to share the different ways that Black History is being preserved and shared.

Useful Sources for Researching Historic Properties

Preservation Tools

Expand your preservation power.

Explore a wide range of resources and tools designed to help aspiring and seasoned preservationists and activists move their projects and passions forward.

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