Missouri Historical Records Advisory Board (MHRAB)
The Missouri Historical Records Advisory Board (MHRAB), is the central advisory body for historical records planning and for projects relating to historic records, developed and carried out within the state of Missouri. The MHRAB provides state-level appraisal of grant proposals submitted to the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) by Missouri repositories, and serves as the review and award panel for grant applications submitted to the Missouri Historical Records Grant Program and the Local Records Preservation Program.
Mission Statement
The Missouri Historical Records Advisory Board promotes and supports identification of, preservation of, and access to all historical records in Missouri.
Board members are appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate; and administrative responsibilities are handled by the secretary of state who is the board's coordinator. Federal regulations require members to have experience and interest in the collection, administration and use of historical records, and a dedication to the preservation and access of Missouri's documented heritage. Over the years, archivists, curators, records managers, legislators, librarians and family historians have served on the MHRAB.
The 1999 MHRAB Strategic Plan, Old Documents to a New Past: A Plan for the Preservation and Access of Missouri's Historical Records, is the result of an NHPRC Level-One Planning Grant. During the grant period, the board held retreats, brought in outside counsel, conducted regional meetings, and solicited information from Missouri's records keepers. Old Documents to a New Past reflects issues raised during the planning project, and identifies several areas where attention should be focused to improve the condition of records preservation and access in Missouri. Printed copies of this publication may be obtained from the Missouri State Archives.
For more information about the Missouri Historical Records Advisory Board, or historic records planning in our state, contact Alana Inman, MHRAB Board Liason, at (573) 526-1981.