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State launches Virtual Georgia to preserve history
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The Georgia Archives has created a way for Georgians to help preserve the history of the state through a program called Virtual Georgia.

Georgians, or anyone with photographs related to Georgia, may nominate pictures to be included in the archives permanent collection. Pictures are nominated by being uploaded to the Virtual Georgia Web site.

The program is slated to last through March 1.

According to Secretary of State Karen Handel, Virtual Georgia is based on an earlier Archives program called Vanishing Georgia. Between 1975 and 1986, archivists from the Georgia Archives traveled throughout the state and copied historically significant photographs held by individuals who wanted to share them with future generations.

During the program, Vanishing Georgia preserved nearly 18,000 photographs. Now, the state wants to use modern technology to accomplish the same thing.

The Archives is looking for photographs that show Georgians in everyday life, said David Carmicheal, director of the Georgia Archives.

“We want images of family and business life, street scenes, architecture, agriculture, school and civic activities, important individuals and events in Georgia history, and even landscapes,” he said.

Nominations can be uploaded using a form at www.GeorgiaArchives.org (click on “Virtual Georgia” in the margin).

Archives staff will review all the uploaded images and select the ones that are most representative of Georgia's varied culture and activities. Those will be added to the archives permanent collection.