UNF Secures NEH Grant to Safeguard Jacksonville’s Historical Legacy

The University of North Florida (UNF) has recently achieved a significant milestone by being selected as one of only eight U.S. institutions to receive a coveted Preservation and Access Education and Training grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) for 2025. This prestigious grant program is dedicated to supporting initiatives that tackle pressing challenges in the preservation and accessibility of humanities collections and resources. SIGNIFICANTLY, the funding is aimed at cultivating a new generation of conservators and preservation professionals, ensuring the important narratives of history are preserved for future generations.

With a substantial award of $350,000, the grant will enable UNF to implement a groundbreaking three-year Archivist-in-Training program. This initiative is envisioned to extend comprehensive archival training and hands-on experience to undergraduate students while simultaneously safeguarding significant historical collections located in Northeast Florida. The program will facilitate paid internships for thirty UNF undergraduate students, affording them the opportunity to engage in intensive training regarding archival preservation and processing. This immersive experience will also encompass professional development opportunities under the mentorship of esteemed UNF faculty and library staff.

Essential to the program’s mission is the commitment to preserving Jacksonville’s rich cultural heritage, particularly its formidable African American history. The initiative will focus on the legacy of Jacksonville as the “Harlem of the South,” training students to work on critically important collections. Among the artifacts preservation efforts will be the historical papers of philanthropist Eartha M.M. White, records documenting early 20th-century jazz in the LaVilla neighborhood, and oral histories from the culturally rich Geechee Gullah communities.

In addition to the preservation of local history, this transformative initiative is expected to complement educational curricula, particularly within the framework of Duval County Public Schools’ African American history curriculum as well as summer writing institutes. The long-term vision encompasses the possibility of expanding the program’s successful model to other universities, thereby forging strong connections between undergraduate education and community-oriented archival work.

The program is the result of collaborative efforts by an interdisciplinary team of faculty from the UNF Digital Humanities Institute. Dr. Laura Heffernan, an esteemed English professor, leads this initiative in conjunction with Susan Swiatosz, the University librarian, exemplifying a strategic partnership in academic excellence. This scholarly collaboration aims not only to facilitate practical learning opportunities for students but also to impact the larger community positively.

Key partnerships have been established with various local historical organizations, including the Eartha M.M. White Museum, the Ritz Theatre and Museum, and the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center in St. Augustine. Additional collaborations have been made with the Mandarin Historical Society and Museum, along with the Durkeeville Historical Society. These associations are pivotal in realizing the objectives of the Archivist-in-Training program and fostering community involvement.

Furthermore, the project has been selected as a special initiative under the NEH’s program titled “American Tapestry: Weaving Together Past, Present, and Future.” This initiative underscores the potential role of the humanities in addressing and navigating contemporary social dilemmas, elevating the mission of the program beyond just archival work to an engagement with the broader societal context.

As a nationally recognized educational institution, the University of North Florida boasts a sprawling 1,381-acre campus located in Jacksonville, Florida, which is enveloped in nature. The university serves nearly 17,000 students and offers a diverse range of programs across six colleges of distinction, embodying innovative approaches to education in high-demand fields. Students at UNF benefit from individual attention from faculty members who are committed to their academic and professional growth, establishing a learning environment that prioritizes real-world experience through community partnerships.

Through the vigorous establishment of the Archivist-in-Training program, the University of North Florida intends to create a profound impact on students’ career trajectories while simultaneously curating and preserving the rich historical narratives that matter to the local and national communities. This program embodies a vital connection between education and active community engagement, making history accessible and relevant to contemporary societal discussions.

As the project unfolds, there will be ongoing assessments of its contribution to local educational frameworks and historical preservation efforts. This feedback loop is essential to refining the program and ensuring that it meets the evolving needs of the student body and community stakeholders.

The significance of this initiative extends far beyond the immediate scope of the grant. UNF’s dedicated efforts in preserving local history, particularly African American narratives, are poised to inspire similar initiatives across the nation. By investing in the education and training of future archivists, this groundbreaking program catalyzes an important discourse surrounding the value of cultural heritage and its vital role in shaping communal identity.

In conclusion, the partnership between the University of North Florida and the National Endowment for the Humanities through the Preservation and Access Education and Training grant represents a progressive step towards an accessible, educated, and community-oriented approach to history. The implications of this initiative will resonate throughout the years to come, facilitating connections between generations and enhancing societal understanding of regional histories.