Old State House Museum Collections Blog

     Begun in 1934 as a make-work program for architects and photographers during the Great Depression, the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) documented thousands of architectural landmarks across the US.  The survey didn't attempt to restore or preserve the physical structures themselves, rather document their current state as thoroughly and accurately as possible.  In the state of Arkansas, over 140 historic buildings were surveyed, including the 1836 Old State House in February 1934.  The Library of Congress currently houses the results of the survey, but has made all of it's contents available online, which is an amazing research tool for those interested in historic preservation.

   Welcome to the Old State House Collections Blog.  This is the first post of what will hopefully be a productive and well-received project.  Our goal is to provide regular updates on the activities of the Collections Department, rich with information and multimedia concerning the museum's history and extensive collections.  The Old State House Museum has been on the leading edge of museum technology, seeking ways to make the museum's collection accessible and useful to the general public.  Rare for historical museums, the OSH Museum has posted it's entire collection for public viewing on our eMuseum website.  After all, a museum preserves and interprets collections of artifacts in trust of the public. E-Museum and this blog are simply modern extensions of this basic function.  We hope you enjoy the articles and podcasts we provide, and should you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact us with your thoughts.  Thanks for visiting!