[Editor's note: This blog originally appeared on the blog of the American Heritage Center. The Roving Archivist Program is a joint effort by the American Heritage Center, the Wyoming State Archives and the Wyoming State Historical Records Advisory Board (SHRAB).]

Imagine trying to preserve a century-old photograph album in a historic building with challenging climate controls or figuring out how to digitize thousands of irreplaceable documents with limited resources. Across Wyoming, local institutions face daily challenges as they work to preserve their communities’ stories.

These are the places where Wyoming’s history lives – not just in major repositories, but in local museums, historical societies, and archives across the state. Each holds irreplaceable pieces of Wyoming’s past: photographs of early homesteaders, letters from World War II soldiers, records of vanished mining towns, oral histories of community elders.

Recognizing the vital role these local institutions play in preserving Wyoming’s heritage, the American Heritage Center, Wyoming State Archives and Wyoming State Historical Records Advisory Board (SHRAB) joined forces to launch the state’s first mobile preservation initiative in July 2024. Co-founded by AHC archivist Leslie Waggener, who continues to serve as an advisor, the program brings expert guidance directly to the institutions that need it most.

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Since hitting the road, Roving Archivist Linda Sampson has encountered everything from delicate nitrate negatives needing specialized storage to oral histories documenting vanishing memories of Wyoming life. In each visit, she provides recommendations tailored to the institution’s specific needs and resources – whether that’s advice on protecting precious documents from potential water damage or guidance on proper storage for oversized historical maps.

The RAP offers guidance on a wide range of archival challenges. For institutions looking to start digitization projects, it provides detailed recommendations on equipment, workflows and best practices. For those dealing with space constraints, creative approaches are suggested to organize and store collections. When preservation concerns arise, helpful strategies are proposed that balance proper archival care with available resources.

The process begins when an institution reaches out through the RAP website. After an initial virtual meeting to understand their specific needs, Linda conducts an on-site visit to assess their situation firsthand. Within two months, the institution receives a detailed report with customized recommendations, and the RAP team remains available to support them as they implement changes. A follow-up assessment within the year helps track progress and address any new challenges.

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But perhaps the most unexpected benefit has emerged from the monthly online gatherings where staff from different institutions connect to share their experiences and solutions. A volunteer in Sheridan might share tips about organizing historical photographs that help a museum in Green River. An archivist in Cody might offer advice about disaster planning that proves valuable to a historical society in Laramie. These conversations are creating a community of practice among Wyoming’s heritage institutions.

This collaborative approach marks a shift in how we think about preserving local history. Rather than expecting small institutions to find their way alone, the RAP brings expert guidance directly to them, helping ensure that Wyoming’s stories are preserved where they were created, in the communities they belong to.

The program continues to evolve based on what is learned from each visit. Whether it’s advising on proper storage for fragile materials or helping develop disaster preparedness plans, the RAP is committed to providing the guidance these institutions need to safeguard Wyoming’s historical treasures.

Want to learn more about how the RAP might help your institution? Visit https://rovingarchivist.wyo.gov/home.

This initiative is supported by grants from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) and the Wyoming State Historical Records Advisory Board (SHRAB).