Project Background

From ENHLDWiki

Mission/Goals as originally expressed

To create a digital, cutting-edge, user-friendly framework for access to information on the 6,015 contributing properties in the Butte-Anaconda-Walkerville National Historic Landmark District for researchers, students, and the general public. The interface would incorporate Google Earth style technology, as well as ultimately WikiMedia interactivity. Long-term goal is to have this project serve as both a model and a central repository for similar information provided by all NHLs and NHLDs in the nation.

How the project grew

The concept was initiated by Dick Gibson in early 2007 after encountering Virtual Historic Savannah. If Savannah could have such a thing, he reasoned, why not Butte? Through Butte CPR, potential historians and wiki-GoogleEarth experts were found to enthusiastically support the idea.

Through March 2007, we worked collaboratively on a grant proposal to the National Endowment for the Humanities Digital Partnership. Max built the wiki, which we used together to create the grant proposal.

Numerous outside organizations willingly became our collaborators, and the grant application was submitted in late March 2007.

We were notified in late August 2007 that the project would not be funded.

At a meeting Sept. 18, 2007, a group of about 10 contributors decided to continue the project as volunteers, working on a "when-you-can" basis.

By early 2008 it became apparent that "when-you-can" would, unfortunately, not be much for a lot of us, so Max revised the wiki so that it is now (1) visible to everyone, (2) editable only by registered editors, and (3) registration requires an approval process. Thus this wiki is NOT like Wikipedia - not EVERYone can edit it. But we seek and hope for like-minded contributors who will become part of our on-line community, and who will build this project showcasing Butte's remarkable and historic architecture.