In 2017, the Society for Historical Archaeology’s Collections and Curation Committee (CCC) set out to gather repository fee data and other pertinent information for the primary archaeological repositories across the country. This information was compiled into an abbreviated report and story map, released in 2019. While the information gathered during this initial survey was useful and is being widely utilized, the CCC felt that a more detailed questionnaire and wider audience was needed to accurately capture repositories that are accepting collections, that have collections available for research, curation fee costs etc.
To meet this goal, the CCC joined forces with the Archaeological Collections Consortium (ACC), of which ACRA is a partner, to conduct a second survey. This phase has a more technological approach to the survey which automatically inserts the data from the survey questionnaire into a GIS map and dashboard. It is also targeting a wider audience than the previous survey.
Since the formal release of the survey in January, nearly 70 repositories have participated in the study. Please spread the word and ask anyone who holds collections to please fill out the survey. If you have any questions, please contact Kerry Gonzalez.