The Eighth Maine Regiment Memorial Association has received $1,925.00 to preserve and provide better access to its historical photograph collection. The Eighth Maine is a living history museum that preserves the history of this Civil War Regiment and 130 years of reunions at the Memorial Building on Peaks Island, Portland, Maine. This grant is from the Maine Historical Records Advisory Board with funds from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

As many have noted, the "creative economy" is an important factor in the state's economic growth. Visitors and guests at the Eighth Maine generate an estimated $250,000 for the local economy through admission fees, ferry tickets, food and beverage purchases at local restaurants and grocery stores. With studies showing that cultural resources are important in decisions to locate businesses or to choose a community in which to retire, these grants sustain the basic infrastructure of this key sector of our economy.

"They support community efforts to protect the stories of our birth, property rights government, and how we lived our lives," noted Jim Henderson, Director of the Maine State Archives. "People need to document their birth or naturalization to obtain a passport or to get medical care; others research their property boundaries; some seek long-lost relatives or to understand the history of the old saw mill down the road. Without these precious records, most question like this would remain unanswered."

A recent report to the Maine Legislature demonstrates that many of Maine's historical collections (photographs, paintings, natural history collections, letters, etc.) are in danger of being lost to mold, fire, theft, or misuse. Maine has an estimated 200 million historical records, many in facilities with little or no security, fire protection, or environmental controls. Recent surveys show that Maine people in government, historical societies, and libraries, are seeking help to preserve our heritage.

Download the full report, HRREPT.DOC, at [ftp://ftp.maine.gov/pb/archives/ ]ftp://ftp.maine.gov/pb/archives/

Small grants have stimulated local citizens and organizations to commit more of their own resources to these projects. "Although financial support is important, recognition of local concerns and effort through an award also generates a substantial amount of enthusiasm," Henderson said.

The Maine State Archives is a Bureau within the Department of the Secretary of the State. For information about the Historical Collections Grant Program, call Janet Roberts at 287-5791 or e-mail [mailto:janet.Roberts@maine.gov ]janet.Roberts@maine.gov or visit the web site at
[http://www.maine.gov/sos/arc/mhrab/grant.htm
]http://www.maine.gov/sos/arc/mhrab/grant.htm