Digitization projects have brought a wealth of historical documents and objects to folks through the web.  These items range from maps, household inventories, photographs, artworks, and architecture.  Many people researching and viewing these historical items may not be well versed in interpreting  them.  The Center for History and New Media (CHNM) at George Mason University has created a website of tutorials to assist these archival novices.  These tutorials give insight into how a professional would approach a type of material, such as maps, and help to guide students and others in working with historical items.

“Could you please send me a picture of Secretariat?” was the most common request fans had for Mrs. Penny Chenery (then Tweedy) the owner of Secretariat who won the Triple Crown in 1973. 

For 5 days I sifted through and scanned fan mail sent to Mrs. Chenery about her super horse Secretariat and some including his stable mate Riva Ridge.  The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs was loaned an old box of fan letters dated from the fall of 1973 through spring 1974 with the intent that they could scan them and then have full rights to those images.  While the letters themselves won’t be a part of the museum’s archives the digital images will be.

I was able to participate in the practical aspects of a scanning project including organizing the letters, scanning, and metadata creation.  It was a great opportunity to refresh my digitization skills and to be reminded just how long it takes to go through the process.  (Partly because I couldn’t resist reading many of the letters!)