Topothek
Background
Since there is no legally binding mandate in Austria for an institution to safeguard private cultural heritage, the Topothek can fulfill this crucial function of ensuring the documentation of our past in regional units.
Aims
The aim of the Topothek is to establish a dense network of local Topotheks in Lower Austria and beyond, through volunteer work, making regional characteristics of our past easily accessible. Searches are simple and precise, using keywords, dates, and map locations. The success to date, which will see the 200th Topothek in Lower Austria in 2021, demonstrates the great need for this historical tool for documenting our everyday lives.
Milestones
1. Proof of Concept
The combination of the three search options (search term / timeline / location with perspective) has been well received by public users and has also been deemed usable by the Lower Austrian State Archives.
2. State Project
On April 12, 2016, with active public participation, the Topothek was declared a Lower Austrian state project in the assembly hall of the State Parliament building.
3. Growth
Topotheks are now online in various countries and numerous languages. A successful project from Lower Austria is going global.
Results
1,000,000: In 2021, the number of entries from private sources reached one million. Further development steps, such as tagging in videos, texts as editable primary files, and cross-Topothek search, are in preparation.