Meet the Roving Archivist & RAP

So, to introduce myself: Hi, I'm Morgan. I am currently (and remotely) finishing my MA in History with a concentration in Public History from Middle Tennessee State University. My focus for my program has centered around archives and collections management, and my research has focused on connecting with communities and their efforts to preserve their history. Outside of my professional life, I have a lot of interests. Mostly, I love to get lost between the pages of a book, learning to beat the boss level of video games, and spending time with my little black void, Pixie. I love to travel and explore the world around me, which is a large part of why I applied for this job. 

The Roving Archivist Program (or RAP) is a National Historical Publications & Records Commission (NHPRC) grant-funded collaboration between the University of Wyoming's American Heritage Center (AHC), the Wyoming State Archives (WSA), and the Wyoming State Historic Records Advisory Board (WY SHRAB). It works to connect cultural heritage institutions to trained archival professionals to provide advice on policies, procedures, preservation planning, emergency preparedness, and more. The program consists of two phases: the Wyoming Cultural Heritage Needs Assessment Survey (WCHNA) development and the operational RAP. The WCHNA is a tangible survey that cultural heritage institutions participated in, and it provided information about their needs, including the topics listed above. You can read it in our About tab. The operational RAP is how I get to do what I do. The program hired a roving archivist who can conduct site visits to support institutions and provide specialized recommendations. 

 I travel to different archival repositories, offering advice, best practices, and encouragement in managing, arranging, preserving, acquiring, and accessing archival collections. After they apply for a site visit, I meet with cultural institutions, conduct a visit, and develop an individualized needs assessment survey for the repository, incorporating my recommendations. Outside of site visits, I conduct workshops, host monthly Quick Tips, and create other outreach activities (such as this blog) to support cultural institutions. 

Support is the name of the game for me. The Roving Archivist Program is an excellent chance to support Wyoming's cultural heritage, encourage its practices, and build local relationships. I'm excited to travel and learn more about Wyoming's unique history and people, fostering a strong sense of community among the state's cultural heritage institutions. By building this network, I aim to support and encourage them to share their stories and histories.

If you need anything from me or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me!