Capstone Project & Research Paper

Abstract
This capstone project explores practices and tools for preserving family and cultural histories, with a focus on Hmong immigrant narratives. Through research, personal reflection, and collaboration with Hmong community partners and professionals in collections management and conservation, the project examines how family archives—photographs, documents, objects, and ephemera—function as critical tools for storytelling and cultural preservation. A significant component of the research involved engaging with community organizations to contextualize a personal family archive and better understand ongoing efforts to preserve Hmong culture and material history. The project highlights both physical and digital preservation methods that support the longevity and accessibility of family histories. It also emphasizes the role of collaboration among individuals, families, and cultural institutions in linking private collections with public memory and fostering a culture of care. This research is guided by the question: What practices can be created to help people preserve their family and cultural histories? The findings inform the development of adaptable preservation practices and resources that can assist others in curating, protecting, and transmitting their cultural narratives.


Keywords:
family history, cultural preservation, Hmong immigrant narratives, ephemera, archiving practices, community collaboration, digital preservation, storytelling, Hmong diaspora, cultural identity