Project Details and Outcomes:
The project's aims meant it was necessary to bring into the website as many local groups and societies as possible. The project was required to provide a number of options for partners to become involved.
These options were:
-
Where a partner had a database they could upload records regularly to the website.
-
Partners would be able to create pages for themselves from any location.
-
It should be possible to search an existing partner’s website through DSH.
Website
The philosophy behind the DSH website was:
-
A flexible and sustainable website to be maintained beyond the end of the project.
-
Driven by new technologies such as XML.
-
It should allow users to create content from any computer as long as they have a log in.
-
It is not dependent on any understanding of any technical languages and put the power of creating content in the hands of the users.
Image: The DSH Developers
Through a number of inbuilt bespoke toolkits it gives users the ability to create webpages, interactive maps, upload images, upload documents, create feedback forms, and an events calendar
Coupled with this are records from over 5 databases which have been uploaded onto the website these include Exegesis SMR, Catalyst, Modes, Adlib and Calm*. The users of the databases export records whenever they wish which they can then overwrite the existing records on the website. This means as their databases change so will the website records.
All content can be searched on the website at the same time; it is also possible through the advanced search to search any combination of the database records.
The technology also allows for new looks to be applied to specific partners content and be published on a separate website while it is still managed and edited through DSH.
Content on the website ranges from the geology, archaeology, history and archives of Shropshire. It also includes profiles and content about local groups and societies detailing their activities and how to join them.
Image: Dactylioceras (Courtesy of SCC Museums Service)
Artistic Reconstructions of key places throughout Shropshire
The project staff worked with local groups and researchers to create artistic reconstructions of:
-
Tudor/Stuart Shrewsbury c1630
-
Bury Ditches Iron Age Hillfort
-
Medieval Much Wenlock
-
Acton Scott as it is today
We worked closely with a local artist called Phil Kenning who has done all of the reconstructions for this project.
Image: Acton Scott as it is Today
From the art work interactive maps were created on the website linking together content from all of our partners. A poster of the Tudor/Stuart Shrewsbury c1630 was produced and can be found for sale at the following website. http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/archives.nsf/
Image: Reconstruction of Shrewsbury c. 1630
Display boards and publicity material
To publicise the project to the public a number of professional display board and leaflets were created.
Working with schools and local groups
As part of the project many local groups and societies were brought into the project as partners. The project team provided support and advice to their activities. As part of their coursework the Priory School created the logo for the project which was chosen by a public and partner vote.
Events and training
Over 27 events were conducted by project staff. These ranged from a month long exhibition about the project to lectures about the history of Shropshire and presentations about the technology behind the website. Through the two
years over 2,700 people attended one of our events. Over 23 training courses were conducted by the Project and IT Leader and Shropshire Archives staff.
*Exegesis, DS Calm, Adlib, MODES, Catalyst are trademarks or (c) their respective owners.