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For Immediate Release: March 26, 2002

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Mrs. Hope Taft, First Lady of Ohio, officially opened the Ohio Memory Online Scrapbook today at the Ohio State House, bringing online historical documents and artifacts from more than 250 libraries, museums, archives and historical societies across the state. More than a century of Ohio history can be found in the scrapbook, located online at http://www.ohiomemory.org

"This is an early bicentennial gift to Ohio in recognition of nearly 200 years of statehood," Mrs. Hope Taft, First Lady of Ohio, said. "The rich assortment of historical treasures contained in the more than 9,000 pages and images from Ohio's past can now be shared with anyone who is interested in Ohio history, 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

The Ohio Memory Online Scrapbook presents items dating from prehistory to 1903, including letters, diaries, historical photographs, clothing, furniture, prehistoric artifacts and government records. The collections document important milestones in history, such as the signing of the Treaty of Greenville and the Wright Brothers' first flight. Other collections, such as prehistoric artifacts, handmade quilts and family letters offer glimpses into the everyday lives of past generations of Ohioans.

Visitors to the electronic scrapbook can search for specific information by subject, contributing organization and geographic area. The electronic scrapbook is organized into five categories for easy navigation: Ohio Citizenship; Economy; People; Culture; and Environment.

Ohio Memory Online Scrapbook is a collaborative, statewide project managed by the Ohio Historical Society. Project partners include the Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN), OhioLINK, the Ohio Library Council, the Information Network for Ohio Schools (INFOhio) and the Ohio Bicentennial Commission. More than 250 organizations submitted their historical treasures to be digitized and included in the online scrapbook.

Five institutions were recognized at the event as representatives of the types of repositories taking part in the Ohio Memory Online Scrapbook. The Athenaeum of Ohio in Cincinnati represents the participating 29 special archives and libraries. The Center for Archival Collections at Bowling Green State University is one of 28 academic archives and libraries. Dover Historical Society represents 80 historical societies, the largest group of participating institutions. The Kelton House Museum and Garden in Columbus is among 46 museums. Massillon Public Library represents 73 public libraries. A total of 50 collections from these institutions are part of the online scrapbook.

"The mission of the Ohio Memory Project is to provide access to the historical treasures of Ohio, bringing together primary sources from all parts of the state," Ohio Historical Society Executive Director Gary C. Ness said. Ohio Memory is loosely based on the Library of Congress' American Memory Project, a long-term digitization project combining portions of that institution's collections with those of other repositories throughout the U.S. The Ohio Historical Society created The African-American Experience in Ohio, 1850 -1920 for the American Memory Project.

Prior to introducing Ohio Memory, Ness also recognized Tom Johnson, director of the Ohio Office of Budget and Management, and former State Senator Bob Cupp. "From a public-policy standpoint, these gentlemen are pioneers, leading Ohio and its historical societies and libraries into a new information age," Ness said.

Five partner organizations provided support for the project. In 2000, OPLIN, the Ohio Public Library Information Network awarded $500,000 to the Ohio Historical Society to launch the project. OhioLINK, the library consortium of Ohio's college and universities hosts the online scrapbook on its servers. The Ohio Library Council and INFOhio, the Information Network for Ohio Schools, helped to inform Ohio's librarians and teachers about the project. The Executive Committee of the Ohio Bicentennial Commission recently recommended awarding a $50,000 legacy grant for the Ohio Memory Project. The Society will add collections to the online scrapbook regularly and hopes to secure additional funding so that more historical materials, in particular those created after 1903, can be made available through the Ohio Memory Online Scrapbook.