Roseville, CA
info@legacypnp.ltd
The Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum lacked a formal inventory system or archival process before this project. The museum housed a significant collection of West African artifacts, sculptures, masks, and ceremonial objects that needed proper documentation, digitization, and preservation.
Through a comprehensive digitization initiative, I implemented a structured workflow to inventory, catalog, and digitally archive these cultural artifacts.
Conduct a full inventory assessment of the collection.
Design and develop a custom inventory database using Airtable.
Photograph and document 62 archival items, capturing multiple angles and metadata.
Create a digital archive using Omeka to provide public and internal access.
Develop archival documentation and emergency preparedness guides.
Train museum staff and docents on digitization, metadata application, and collection management.
Before digitization, no prior inventory system existed.
A structured custom Airtable database was developed to record titles, descriptions, tags, metadata, and images for each artifact.
This system allowed for easy retrieval, searchability, and structured documentation.
Each object was meticulously photographed from multiple angles (front, back, left, right) for comprehensive digital preservation.
Metadata was assigned to each artifact, including title, subject, description, cultural context, and usage history.
Research was conducted to identify artifact origins, authenticity, and significance.
The collection was imported into Omeka, an open-source digital archiving platform.
Exhibits were created, including:
Sculpted Stories: African Artistry in Wood, Marble, and Metal
African Mask Treasures: West and East Unveiled
The digital archive provided structured metadata, search functionality, and public access to the collection.
Created essential digitization and archival guides, including:
Digitization & Cataloging Manual
Digital Preservation Strategic Plan
Collections Management Policy
Collections Emergency Response Plan
Conducted hands-on training for museum staff and docents on how to maintain and expand the digital collection.
✅ 62 artifacts inventoried, digitized, and documented
✅ First-ever structured archive for the museum
✅ Omeka platform launched, making artifacts searchable and accessible
✅ Staff trained to sustain and expand the archive
✅ Increased visibility of the museum’s collection for scholars, researchers, and the general public
This project bridged the gap between past and future, ensuring that African and African American heritage remains accessible and preserved for generations. The success of this initiative showcases how small institutions can leverage digitization and archival best practices to enhance their collections.
As an added bonus, I introduced an immersive technology component to explore ways VR and AR could enhance digital engagement.
3D Object Scanning: Used a LiDAR scanner to create 3D models of select artifacts for potential VR integration.
VR Exhibit Prototypes: Developed a test space in Mozilla Hubs & Spatial.io for future immersive museum experiences.
Community Engagement: Conducted a pilot program with middle school students and SMUD, introducing them to browser-based VR.
Partnership with Legacy Builders & Empowerment Inc.: This initiative was done in collaboration with Legacy Builders & Empowerment Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization I founded, which specializes in the research and development of innovative technology like AR and VR for heritage preservation.
This research will serve as a foundation for future projects integrating immersive technologies into museum exhibits.
🔗 For a deeper look into VR applications, visit: Journey Through the Life of Jim Beckwourth Case Study
First-ever structured archival system implemented at the museum.
Digital public access provided through Omeka.
Staff trained in metadata, cataloging, and preservation techniques.
Research foundation for VR/AR exploration in museum collections.
This project not only preserved invaluable cultural artifacts but also set the stage for innovative digital engagement in heritage preservation.