OPS Awarded Grant
The Ocracoke Preservation Society has recently been awarded a grant of nearly $4,000 from the Outer Banks Community Foundation for the purchase of specialized computer equipment.
The equipment, which will be used to catalog and digitize OPS’s extensive collection of photographs, slides, wills, deeds, and other documents, includes a digital slide converter, hand held scanner, photo scanner, dedicated laptop, and appropriate software.
The goal is to preserve island history and to continue to educate the public about Ocracoke’s heritage, an on-going project in which OPS has been engaged through its museum, seasonal porch talks, conservation of culturally significant property, and through stewardship of two hundred plus structures that are listed on the National Register.
The equipment will also be available to the Ocracoke School and Community Library, island residents, business owners and other organizations for conversion of their photos, slides, negatives, diaries, and other documents pertaining to Ocracoke history, culture, and families.
Once photographs and documents are cataloged and digitized, selected items will be added to the Preservation web site. The entire collection will be made available to local organizations and businesses to promote cultural and heritage tourism on Ocracoke.
“This is a project that will benefit the entire island community,” said Bill Jones, OPS president. “One of Ocracoke’s greatest assets is its culture. The preservation of vintage photographs and historic documents will help strengthen our sense of heritage and attract visitors who also value our culture and traditions.”
The Ocracoke Preservation Society is grateful to the Outer Banks Community Foundation which was organized in 1982 as a public charity to meet local needs in the Outer Banks area.
