Will the Digital age provide the technology to archive and preserve our precious visual resources? So far, two thirds of the Sloane Collection has been Digitized. This time consuming and expensive process has been funded through the sale of popular vintage images contained in the collection. This ongoing effort represents a very good start in the preservation of Houston’s History for at least two decades of its 170 year old timeline. The total cost associated with preserving all images at risk in Houston collections could run into the tens of millions of dollars. Billions of dollar’s flow through the many foundations dedicated to the betterment of education and civic life in Houston. Many of these Foundations were funded by Pioneering Houston Businessmen and Women who were concerned about our future. How ironic would it be, if the visual record of those Pioneers, and their historical accomplishments were lost due to a lack of serious funding to preserve it. Unless some of that money trickles down to the Public and Private institutions that house some of the major photographic collections (Good Example: TEXAS ROOM AT THE JULIA IDESON LIBRARY) a great part of our History will be lost! The Clock Is Ticking!

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