Donate/Adopt a Collection

Donate

The staff is interested in considering new material which fits our collections policy. With a commitment to telling the whole story, we realize that a single document or image may change the interpretation of an event. Please contact the Director, Library & Archives directly at (814)454-1813×26 for consideration.

Adopt a Collection

One of the challenges of having many archival/2-d collections is that preservation and conservation activities are always needed. Commitment of staff and financial resources to do the best job possible to protect the materials and repair damage already done to material entrusted to our care is significant. Please help us.

The C. Paxton Cody Architectural Collection

C. Paxton Cody was a significant regional architect who produced residential homes in Erie, Pittsburgh and Cleveland from 1893-1936.  Of concern are 2 medium size loose-leaf binders of watercolor renderings and tissue line drawings produced by Byron Cooley for C. Paxton Cody.  These fragile and significant renderings are housed in deteriorating bindings. Someone has also extensively “reinforced” the delicate pages in the second volume with scotch tape. If left in place the scotch tape will stain and potentially damage these fine renderings.  Estimated cost of conserving these watercolors, and line drawings and line drawings, removing them from the black, 3-ring binders, and rehousing them in acid-free material. $2,800. All donations are welcomed.

The Francis J. Bassett Glassplate Negative Collection

The collection was given to ECHS by daughter Florence Bassett in 1933. The WPA reorganized and renumbered the entire collection of 11,495 glassplates. In addition they prepared a “courthouse” alphabetical list of Erie people captured by Bassett 1870-1903. The list was recently reorganized into true alpha order for increased ease of use. This collection has high research value. All but 200 of the glassplates are portraits. 282 images have been printed so viewers may see the images, and for back-up preservation of the negatives.  We are interested in printing the rest of the collection. We hope to also produce thumbnail images which will be mounted on the web and will be searchable on-line and on-site at the History Center in the future. Please help us print these images. Smaller donations as well as larger donations are welcomed.