AS part of Heritage Week, the Tower Museum in Derry will host the launch of a digitisation project developed in partnership with Guildhall Press on Saturday, 22 August.
Celebrating our Architectural Heritage is a digitisation project which will give visitors an opportunity to see some of the drawings in the archive collection.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Elisha McCallion, said the project was very unique and innovative and celebrated the successful partnership between Council and the Guildhall Press by creating a project using archive and digitisation skills of both the Council’s Archivist and Guildhall Press.
It includes the digitisation of over 300 drawings as part of a pilot project funded by the Department of the Environment’s Challenge Fund.
The building plans were submitted for bye-law approval to the old Londonderry Corporation and to the Londonderry Development Commission.
A printed catalogue of the collection will be produced and disseminated across the North West to libraries, schools, universities and local interest groups.
And a portable exhibition will be created for display at community venues and events.
A core team of volunteers will be trained in a number of archival and digital skills including conservation, cataloguing and digitisation.
Speaking ahead of the launch, the Mayor said it was a great opportunity to view some of the digitised drawings on exhibition panels and pick up a free catalogue.
The launch will take place at 11 am, followed at 12 noon by a walking tour of the Walled City, focusing on architectural aspects, led by the Friends of the Derry Walls.
The walking tour will provide an excellent opportunity to view in situ some of the building featured in the exhibition.
Said McCallion: “The unique collection contains plans, elevations and design details for a range of significant buildings and architecture across the city including the Guildhall, the War Memorial, Carlisle Bridge and local schools, churches and residences.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to develop our partnership with the staff at Guildhall Press and to provide the general public and researchers with greater access to information on the historic buildings of the city through an innovative archival digitisation programme,” she added.
Environment Minister, Mark H Durkan, said: “The digitisation of these records provides an excellent reference base and will educate and inform many future generations about Derry’s historic buildings.
“It is fitting that my Department’s Challenge Fund was able to provide £16,650 from the carrier bag levy monies to support this valuable work.
“This is a prime example of how the levy is being used for the benefit of local communities through supporting the environment, in this case, by showcasing our rich cultural and architectural heritage.”
Kirsty Osborn from Guildhall Press said: “The Guildhall Press is delighted to have developed this project in partnership with the Council’s Archive Service.
“Following the success of the Portrait of a City Project in 2013, a citywide community digital scanning project, this innovative programme will ensure this unique collection is safeguarded for the future,” she said.
For further information about the event contact the Tower Museum at Tel: 028 7137 2411 or email[email protected] or follow us on facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/towermuseum
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