Unforeseen risks and disasters are an undeniable reality. From hurricanes and floods to wildfires and droughts, aging infrastructure, and more, these events are becoming increasingly frequent and severe, posing significant threats to our communities, economies, and cultural heritage. However, there is still time to be proactive and prepare. By taking strategic and thoughtful actions now, we can mitigate the impacts of these risks and disasters and protect our invaluable historical records, artifacts, and legacies. Protecting and preserving these precious artifacts, collections, and documents is not just a responsibility but an imperative. We at HAI are deeply committed to protecting our cultural heritage, and we want to collaborate with our fellow archivists, collections managers, records managers, and preservationists to understand the risks and opportunities, educate our community, and act now.
The Reality of Unforeseen Risks, Natural Disasters and Aging Infrastructure
The United States and the world have witnessed an alarming rise in natural disasters in recent years. Additionally, infrastructure such as water systems, historical buildings and other structures, are underfunded and gradually deteriorating presenting risk in locations maintaining historical records, collections and artifacts. The statistics from recent years alone are compelling:
- Brucemore, a National Trust Historic Site in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, suffered $3 million in damage due to the 2020 derecho.
- Notre Dame Cathedral Fire (2019): A devastating fire engulfed Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, causing significant damage to this iconic historical site.
- Zagreb Earthquake (2020): An earthquake in Zagreb, Croatia, caused severe damage to historical buildings in the city center.
Protecting Historical Records and Assets
One of the most significant yet often overlooked impacts of risks and natural disasters is the damage to historical records and assets. Historic buildings and sites can suffer severe damage from hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and other risks. Disasters can also destroy irreplaceable artifacts and documents, as seen in the wildfire in Lahaina, Maui, which decimated the historic community.
The loss of historical records and artifacts represents a loss of cultural heritage and history, which can profoundly impact communities. Repairing and restoring historic sites and precious artifacts can often require significant financial resources and time.
Mitigation and Preparedness
Despite the daunting challenges, there is still time to be proactive and prepared. Implementing strategies for organizing and digitizing collections and records, conducting education and training, optimizing technology, and developing emergency disaster plans and kits can help mitigate risks and ensure teams have the proper knowledge and skills to be proactive and responsive.
Engaging local communities in preservation efforts is also essential. The active involvement of community members ensures that those who value their heritage most are participants. Education and capability-building initiatives can empower locals to maintain and protect their history.
Advanced technologies like 3D scanning, virtual reality, and AI can digitally document and recreate historical sites and artifacts. These technology platforms help preserve heritage and make it accessible to a broader audience. Accessing grants, loans, and tax incentives can provide the necessary financial support for digitization and preservation projects.
Workshops and training programs can teach leading practices in historic preservation and help build a knowledgeable workforce dedicated to maintaining historical assets, records, and sites.
A Call to Action
The increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters and these unforeseen risks underscore the need for proactive measures to protect our historical and cultural assets. The time for action is now—let’s work together to safeguard our cultural heritage from the growing threat of natural disasters. By taking strategic and thoughtful actions today, we can preserve our invaluable historical records, artifacts, and sites for future generations.
At HAI, we’re committed to preserving cultural heritage by understanding risks, raising awareness, and taking proactive steps. Read more insights from our Before It’s Too Late series here: “Safeguarding Archives Amid Rising Threats and Potential Disasters” and “Reflexes, Records, and Recovery: Training Muscle Memory Before Disaster Strikes” and don’t forget to follow us on LinkedIn.
Preserve and Activate Your Heritage
Organizations across sectors — from universities and museums to corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies — rely on strong heritage practices to protect the stories, collections, and records that shape identity and inspire future generations.
HAI's Heritage Services include:
- Archival Services & Collections Processing
- Digitization & Digital Preservation
- Records & Information Management
- Historical Research & Storytelling
- Exhibits, Interpretation & Digital Experiences
- ArchivalOne and PastView Partnership
- HeritageAdvantage CoLab
We help institutions safeguard their past so they can lead with clarity, credibility, and purpose. Let's preserve and activate your organization's heritage together.