The ramsey county historical society will digitize approximately 2.5 million county assessor field cards that document the structural changes to all ramsey county residential properties made between…

The Ramsey County Historical Society received a $425,428 Project Grant award from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the Museums for America (CFDA 45.301) program to digitize approximately 2.5 million county assessor field cards that document structural changes to Ramsey County residential properties from 1915 to 2007. These field cards contain information related to zoning, building design, and ownership progression, potentially revealing historic zoning codes that delineated areas of racial segregation. The digitized collection will become a resource for historians, scholars, and reformers studying the connections between racial housing covenants, redlining, and zoning. It will also enable individuals to research the history of their homes, neighborhoods, and the individuals who shaped the county's diverse residential areas. The digitization project will enhance long-term preservation of the collection by reducing handling of the physical cards and prepare the digital files for public online access.

The ramsey county historical society will digitize approximately 2.5 million county assessor field cards that document the structural changes to all ramsey county residential properties made between 1915 and 2007. The cards provide information related to zoning, building design, progression of ownership and more, and as such, have the potential to reveal historic zoning codes that delineate areas of racial segregation. Once digitized, the collection will become a resource for historians, scholars, and reformers studying the connection between racial housing covenants, redlining, and zoning. IT will also help individuals research the history of their homes, neighborhoods, and the individuals who shaped the county's diverse residential areas. Digitization will enhance long-term preservation of the collection by reducing handling of the cards and will prepare the digital files in preparation for the creation of a publicly accessible online catalog.