Good News From Grantees: Bunche Preservation

Big Impact, Small Investment

In King George County, the Ralph Bunche Alumni Association (RBAA) has a noble mission—to preserve and honor the rich history of Ralph Bunche High School, which served African American students from 1949 to 1968. However, they faced a significant challenge—the lack of resources to properly store and share their collection of 11 Ralph Bunche High School yearbooks and delicate blueprints. 

Undeterred, the RBAA applied and received a grant from The Virginia Heritage Fund of the foundation. With just a modest request, they aim to make a substantial impact. The grant will fund the employment of a student intern during the fall semester of 2023, working under the guidance of Dr. Cristina Turdean, an Associate Professor of Historic Preservation at the University of Mary Washington. 

The intern's role is crucial. They will meticulously scan and store the yearbooks and blueprints, ensuring their preservation for future generations. The labor costs for this task, including the purchase of archival quality boxes and an external hard drive, will be covered by the grant. Dr. Turdean, a passionate advocate for historical preservation, has agreed to supervise the intern's work. 

The RBAA has a clear vision for the project's outcomes. Once scanned, the historic documents will be made available on the RBAA website, providing a digital repository of their cherished history. Additionally, the digitized materials can be used for interactive displays in the planned Ralph Bunche High School Museum, a community center that aimed to revitalize the school's legacy. 

The RBAA recognizes the significance of engaging a student intern for this endeavor. Not only will it provide valuable learning experience for a history student, but it will also foster a collaborative relationship between the RBAA and the university. By offering a competitive internship opportunity, they hope to attract a passionate student who would handle the scanning process with care and attention to detail. 

With the grant funds, the RBAA is confident that their dream of preserving the legacy of Ralph Bunche High School will come to fruition. Through the power of even a small grant, the RBAA is set to make a big impact, honoring the past and shaping the future of Ralph Bunche High School's legacy.