Members of the Navajo County Historical Society (NCHS) have been elbow-deep in boxes, books and files for months as they’ve tackled the overwhelming project of inventorying the thousands upon thousands of items entrusted to their care. They’ve had a lot of help from volunteers, and would welcome a lot more.
The NCHS volunteers have undertaken several major projects recently. Earlier this month, a team of Northern Arizona University anthropologists along with local petroglyph specialist Darlene Brinkerhoff as-sisted the historical society with identifying some of the hundreds of pottery shards in NCHS’s collections.
For the past few months, volunteers have been working on the physical inventory of all of NCHS’s collec-tions, both in the exhibit areas and those that are in storage.
Photos, dishes, clothing, books, newspapers, furniture, and more historic and prehistoric artifacts are be-ing reviewed in great detail.
“This has involved the actual handling of each item, and recording its identification numbers, description, size, etc., and entering it on the inventory sheet,” said NCHS board member JoLynn Fox.
Once the inventory team confirms the information associated with each item in the inventory, all of the data will be entered into the society’s database and the final project phase will be to give an identification number to any unmarked objects.
“The goal of any inventory process is to have complete data on each item, as well as knowing its exact location at any time,” said Fox.
A major undertaking by the NCHS team is inventorying the thousands of vintage magazines, books, scrapbooks and newspapers that are available on display at the Navajo County Courthouse Museum in Hol-brook. Many of the publications are also available for research needs.
The NCHS has a large collection of such publications as Arizona Highways, and the Arizona Journal of History, which is published by the Arizona Historical Society. An inventory update of NCHS’s books and scrapbooks, which Fox says provide valuable resource material for research, is scheduled in the near future.
NCHS’s collection of newspapers dates from the late 1800s through today. The collection is primarily made up of The Tribune-News and The Argus, its predecessor. The newspaper inventory is underway right now with local Boy Scout John Hager of Holbrook assisting with the project as part of his pursuit of the rank of Eagle Scout. Hager is the first of several Scouts who will earn community service hours by assisting NCHS. As part of the project, NCHS volunteers have constructed new storage compartments to provide eas-ier access to each year’s issues.
NCHS’s monumental inventory undertaking has been greatly assisted by upgraded digital technology ca-pabilities. With the help of NCHS President Paul Dobell, the organization’s computers are now networked. Fox said efficient scanners are aiding the society in digitizing its photo collection and key documents. The society has begun digitally archiving the photo collection with help from volunteer David Velk, who is the lead interpretive clerk and warehouse manager for the Petrified Forest Museum Association. Fox said the digital archives will provide a valuable reference source for researchers and allow the society to offer virtual tours on its website.
Volunteer Janet Fernandes has also assisted with the photograph collection, in addition to preparing an exhibit in celebration of Arizona’s centennial. Fernandes is serving as NCHS’s liaison with Navajo County Librarian Geneva Durkee, working on a centennial project that involves the development of a brochure and passport promotion of Navajo County’s libraries and museums.
In addition to assistance with inventory and archive projects, NCHS is seeking volunteers who are good storytellers and presenters so the organization can resume regular tours of the museum.
“This service, along with expanded displays, specific featured exhibit topics, rotating exhibits provided by local residents and much more will be possible with an expanded corps of volunteers,” said Fox.
NCHS will again offer haunted tours the week of Halloween. During the evening tours, guides describe the unexplained incidents that have occurred in the historic museum over the years.
“Volunteers played an important role when the museum was established with the support of Navajo County and the City of Holbrook,” said Fox. “Volunteers today can expand NCHS services and potential. Whether helping with inventories and organizing special projects or greeting visitors, each volunteer has a value beyond measurement.”
Anyone interested in volunteering with NCHS or donating items or collections can call (928) 524-6558.
