Missouri has long demonstrated an unwavering commitment to preserving its rich history through various initiatives, notably the Local Records Preservation Program and the Missouri Digital Heritage website. By providing expert guidance, funding, and advanced conservation services, the state ensures that invaluable records are meticulously managed and accessible to future generations. These efforts reflect Missouri’s dedication to maintaining the integrity of its historical documents and making them available to the public, thereby fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of its storied past.
While the Local Records Program has suspended applications and funding for the 2026 fiscal budget year, the program has funded digitization in support of access for many locales across the state. Missouri’s Local Records Preservation Program is an effort to improve long-term local public records by advising, educating, and encouraging the custodians of those records in the use of sound records management and archival practices.
The Missouri Local Records Grant Program
The Missouri Local Records Grant Program was first made available to local governments in 1991. This program was designed to provide financial assistance to local governments to support their records preservation efforts. Each fiscal year, the secretary of state, by the recommendation of the Missouri Historical Records Advisory Board, awards up to $400,000 in grant funds to an average of 65 local projects.
Conservation Laboratory Services
The Local Records Preservation Program’s conservation laboratory provides treatment services for all local government records in Missouri. This laboratory plays a vital role in the physical preservation of paper-based records. In 1991, the laboratory was opened for the treatment of paper-based records, marking a significant milestone in the state’s records preservation efforts.
The conservation staff at the laboratory provide an advisory service to local government offices on all aspects of records care, preservation, and disaster recovery. Their expertise is invaluable in ensuring that records are properly cared for and preserved in the event of disasters such as floods or fires.
Records Retention and Management
Members of the Missouri Local Records Board are charged with the responsibility of setting records retention time for local governments. This responsibility is crucial for effective records management, as it ensures that records are retained for the appropriate length of time and then properly disposed of when they are no longer needed.
The information on records retention is readily shared with local government officials, who rely on the guidance of the Missouri Local Records Board to manage their records effectively. This collaborative approach to records management ensures that local governments can maintain comprehensive and accessible records for their constituents.
Missouri Digital Heritage
The Missouri Digital Heritage website is an initiative sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of State and is co-managed by the Missouri State Archivist and the Missouri State Librarian. The primary goal of the site is to facilitate the preservation, digitization, and access to locally held collections of historical significance. These collections, once digitized, are uploaded to the website, making them accessible to a broad audience.
This initiative prioritizes the digitization of materials that hold high cultural and historic value to the state of Missouri. Typically, these historical materials are at least 10 years old, although exceptions can be made by the State Librarian and State Archivist based on the importance of the item. The site caters to general and family historians, researchers, and students, ensuring a wide range of materials is available for educational and research purposes. The types of materials digitized can include state and local government records, county histories, personal papers, maps, and photographs.
Missouri’s Local Records Preservation Program and Missouri Digital Heritage represent a significant effort to safeguard the state’s historical records and make them accessible to future generations.
At Anderson Archival, we love Missouri’s history – and the personal and public histories that shape all of our lives. Ready to preserve your history? Reach out for a free consultation.
