Libraries, Archives and Museums

There are millions of archives around the world with incredible Collections of local and national history. Historypin sets out to make all of this invaluable material the subject of mass-participation – to allow millions of people to see the world through the amazing lens it provides.

We are working with archives, libraries, historical societies and museums around the world to help them share their Collections in exciting new ways, reach new audiences and generate engagement with their Collections.

Some of the partners we are working with:

Case studies of a few Libraries, Archives and Museums we’re working with

Biggleswade History Society

Historypin approached Biggleswade History Society, Bedfordshire UK about adding material to Historypin. Biggleswade is a tiny village in the heart of the English countryside. The society’s Chair loved the idea and over the past year they’ve added over 200 images, illustrating the town’s history from 1850s through to 2010.

See their profile on Historypin

Brooklyn Museum

The Brooklyn Museum had nearly 300 historical photos of Brooklyn that they wanted to be able to identify on a map, not only to display on Historypin but to improve their Collection meta-data.

The Museum leveraged the launch of Historypin to ask history enthusiasts, Brooklyn locals, and others in the general public to help geotag the photos. Museum staff uploaded photos to their Flickr Commons account and challenged users to figure out where they were located and mark it using a simple user interface. Utilizing the Flickr API, they kept track of who the top participants were on a public website as a way to provide recognition for their work.

The participants were also recognized in the Historypin notes, and Historypin staff used the latitude & longitude to map the photos and align them within Google Street View wherever possible.

See their profile on Historypin

Boston Public Library

The Historypin Team has uploaded hundreds of images from Boston Public Library’s extensive Collections. Collections include the Old Boston Collection, a series of late 19th century photographs of historic Boston sites, the Boston Wharf Company collection and a photographs by Leon Abdalian.

See their profile on Historypin

10 Reasons to Get Involved

• New audiences - Historypin gets millions of page views and will generate a stream of new interest in your content. From July 2011, the new Historypin Smartphone app will create even more interest and participation.
• Breathing more life into your Collection - Your content will become part of a rich, multi-layered archive, where users can add their own stories and memories.
• Educational – Your content will enable students and teachers to explore your content and use it across all levels of academic study.
• Local impact – Historypin has an extensive local programme, bringing different cultures and generations together around your content to learn and share.
• Free tools for your archive - By late 2011, we will provide you with free web and mobile tools to allow you to create and promote your own distinct experiences.
• Crowdsourcing meta-data - Historypin will invite its users to “locate” content that archives don’t have the right data for, providing a way of dramatically improving meta-data.
• Database tools - Also in late 2011, we will launch tools that allow archives to link more easily to Historypin, share bulk uploads, receive crowdsourced updates to meta-data and get access to free embed and app tools.
• New income - From early 2012, we’ll offer archives the chance to generate some new income from their content on Historypin through a opt-in digital-to-print service for users.
• Promotional opportunities - We will work with you to generate excitement around your Collections, through extra promotion on the site and collaboration with the media.
• Non-profit and copyright safe - Historypin is a non-profit project with purely social aims and we do not take any ownership of copyright when you share your content.

How to share your Collections

There are three ways to get your content onto the site:

1. Upload content yourself

On historypin.com, click ‘join’ to create a username and profile, then follow the series of steps that take you through uploading your content. This is the best method if you only have small amounts of content.

2. Bulk upload process

If you want to upload more than 100 images, you can use our bulk upload process. You will need to send us your images and their accompanying meta-data, entered into our bulk upload spreadsheet.

The bulk upload process automates the upload of images and meta-data, does not Street View images. This has to be done manually by yourselves or our team.

3. We upload images for you

The way in which your collection is digitized and stored will affect the precise steps, but the general process involves:

a. Selection of images

You select images that meet our image requirements. If your content is available online, our team can choose images for you and you can confirm the selection.

b. You send us the content and meta-data

Content can be sent via a lightbox system, email, USB or CD. Meta-data should be provided in our bulk upload spreadsheet, or sent through as a csv file.

c. We upload your content

We will create a username and profile for you which you will have access to manage and edit your images. We will upload your images and meta-data and Street View images where possible.

For more information on image specifications and how your images will be protected and credited, please download our Contributor's Guide. [PDF Download]

If you have questions about sharing your Collections or are interested in doing a bulk upload, please contact our Content Manager, Rebekkah Abraham, rebekkah.abraham@wearewhatwedo.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can find more commonly asked questions in our FAQ section.

• What does Historypin’s partnership with Google consist of?
• Does Historypin take ownership of copyright?
• How are my images protected?
• How are my images credited?
• How can users use my content?
• How is Historypin moderated?

What does Historypin’s partnership with Google consist of?

Google is We Are What We Do’s main technology partner on the project and we have been working together from the early stages of development to get the most out of Google tools, including Google Maps, Picasa, Google App Engine and Android.

Google has also supported the development costs of the project with donations and sponsorship, as well as marketing support and collaboration. Google shares We Are What We Do’s commitment to Historypin as a non-commercial, collaborative project that delivers social impact and contributes to digital inclusion.

Does Historypin take ownership of copyright?

Historypin does not take any ownership of copyright. All all users, including archives, take full responsibility for having the necessary copyright coverage for everything they upload.

For each photo uploaded, users can choose whether an image is copyrighted or not.

You may remove your content from the site at any time

How are my images protected?

Your images are stored safely on our secure server, and only low res images are visible through the site.

How are my images credited?

1. All your images have you username alongside which links back to your profile page

2. All images can have an original link to your website or online content database

How can users use my content?

1. Users can add a story to your content

2. Users can add your content to a Tour or Collection

How is Historypin moderated?

The Historypin team moderates content after it has been uploaded for offensive or inappropriate content or stories.

Every image has a report button so the Historypin community can tell the team about any offensive or inappropriate material.