New Scanners Preserve Lander’s Historical Documents and Expand Public Access

In Lander, residents seeking information about their property’s history, family genealogy, or the area’s past have limited access to primary sources at the Pioneer Museum. Many residents come to the museum looking for specific information but find themselves frustrated by what they can access on their own, and staff lack the capacity to physically locate documents for every request. Plus oils from fingerprints and repeated handling threaten the preservation of irreplaceable maps, photographs, and records. Digitizing many of these documents could help, but the museum’s scanning equipment wasn’t sufficient to meet the backlog. So the museum manager reached out to LOR with a solution to make these valuable resources accessible while protecting fragile originals from damage. Two scanners—a large-format model for maps and oversized documents, plus a smaller scanner capable of handling negatives—will allow staff to digitize the backlog and organize materials so residents can search and view historical information without risking damage to originals. LOR’s funding will help purchase both scanners and shipping, ensuring easier access to Lander’s history while preserving these important documents for future generations.