The museum recently migrated to a new cataloging system which has made our online archives temporarily unavailable. If you are searching for images or information, please click the Research Request button below to share your request.
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If you prefer to visit the museum to review archive information, due to the high volume of requests, please make an appointment with us regarding any research inquiries.
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Please note: Digitized copies of the Wabash Plain Dealer are available at the Wabash Carnegie Public Library.
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Government Records are available at the Wabash County Courthouse.
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Genealogy records are often retrievable at www.findagrave.com or www.familysearch.org
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THE COLLECTION
Our current collection consisted of more than 175,000 pieces of Wabash County history. The Richard E. Ford Archives and Research Center houses photos and information about Wabash County residents, local businesses, and organizations. The vast collection is used for exhibits on and off-site, educational programs, and research.
Collections volunteers will be responsible for assisting collections staff in conducting collection and archival projects and maintenance of, especially large scope. Through their efforts, the Wabash County Museum will be better able to utilize its extensive collection, preserve it more capably, and increase digital access. Ideal volunteers would be passionate about Wabash’s history and the artifacts that represent it. Knowledge regarding antiques and Wabash’s citizens would be extremely valuable. New volunteers will have to fill out an application and submit to a background check.
Volunteers will be trained by Museum staff to:
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Utilize PastPerfect Software for inventory management
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Update and maintain inventory listings in Microsoft Excel
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Operate camera equipment to photograph specific artifacts for record-keeping purposes
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Operate scanning equipment and software for digitizing photographs and documents
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Catalog, number, and house artifacts
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Conduct oral history interviews
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Hours for volunteer opportunities will be between 10 am-5 pm, Tuesday-Friday, preferably in at least one consistent two-hour block of time per week.