Georgia Historical Society marches on: Renovations close Savannah research center but digital library, history fest continue

The Georgia Historical Society intends to digitize its entire collection, but it is not there yet. That collection is made up of 5 million manuscripts (not a typo — 5,000,000 manuscripts) and 100,000 photographs, among other material, and digitizing a collection that large consumes lots of money and time.

The National Endowment for the Humanities has awarded GHS $500,000 for the project in a challenge grant, which means the GHS must raise $3 for every $1 they receive in federal funds. The organization took a big step forward in that challenge back in October, when Delta Airlines Foundation donated $500,000. A capital campaign is under way to raise the rest of the money.