About Us

The Arkansas Historical Records Advisory Board (AHRAB)

The Arkansas Historical Records Advisory Board (AHRAB) assists public and private non-profit organizations throughout the state in the acquisition, preservation, and use of records with enduring value, and fosters cooperation in carrying out these activities. The AHRAB also receives, reviews, and makes recommendations on all grant applications to fund historical records projects in Arkansas through the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), the grantmaking affiliate of the National Archives and Records Administration. The NHPRC "supports a wide range of activities to preserve, publish, and encourage the use of documentary sources, created in every medium ranging from quill pen to computer, relating to the history of the United States."

Congress established the NHPRC in 1934 to promote the preservation and use of America's documentary heritage. Each year Congress appropriates up to $10 million for grants. More about the grant program can be accessed on the NHPRC Grant Program page.

Governor Mike Huckabee designated Dr. Wendy Richter, State Historian and Director of the Arkansas History Commission, to serve as state records coordinator and chairman of the AHRAB. The seven member board of the Arkansas History Commission, which is appointed by the governor, also serves as the AHRAB. The AHRAB meets quarterly, normally on the first Thursday of March, June, September and December.

Do you need information on grant applications to fund historical records projects? Please contact:

Dr. Wendy Richter
Arkansas History Commission
One Capitol Mall
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501.682.6901
Fax: 501.682.6916
Email: wendy.richter@arkansas.gov


First steps

In April of 2006, Dr. Richter presented information about the recently reactivated AHRAB to attendees of the Arkansas Historical Association annual conference at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View. This was followed in June by distribution of a Historical Records Needs Assessment Questionnaire to Arkansas archives, libraries, historical societies, and museums. (See survey results.)

The questionnaire had three basic goals:


  • to compile of a list of Arkansas Historical Records Repositories

  • to identify the historical records needs of Arkansas historical records repositories through a questionnaire, and

  • to determine the content of a workshop for questionnaire respondents based on these needs to be held during Arkansas's first Archives Week.

"Documenting Arkansas" was the theme of the first Archives Week, October 22-28, 2006. All Arkansas archives, libraries, historical societies, and museums are encouraged to host events in conjunction with Archives Week each year. Contact the Arkansas History Commission to list your event or to request your free Archives Week poster while quantities last.

See Archives Week posters from other states


Links

Arkansas Records Retention Training Material
National Historical Publications and Records Commission
Arkansas Humanities Council
Arkansas State Library
Society of American Archivists
Council of State Archivists, COSA