Winter 2024

As we prepare to welcome 2025, we want to thank you for using PastPerfect Online to share your collections with the world. We appreciate the opportunity to help you display your artifacts to an expanded audience!


In this edition of the newsletter, you'll find the most visited sites in 2024 and a reminder to spend some quality time with your own site. If you find any inspiration for changes you would like to make in the coming year, from minor tweaks to a full revamp of your own site, your PastPerfect Online team is always here to help.


We wish you all a fantastic holiday season and a wonderful new year!

New Year, New List of Collections

It's not quite January yet, but we couldn't wait that long! The PPO List of Collections has a new look: http://www.pastperfect-online.com/. This page is your one-stop shop to see recently featured sites, the latest staff pick, and the full list of public PPO sites. Check it out today and let us know what you think!

Reviewing Your Site


When was the last time you took a close look at your PastPerfect Online site? Between staff turnover, limited time, and an always growing to-do list, some organizations may find themselves going months – or even longer – with no more than a quick glance at their Landing Page. Start the new year out strong by setting aside some time for a site review!


Periodically spot-checking your site is a good way to make sure your web visitors have the best possible experience. Take a step back and use your site like a patron would, instead of seeing it as a person who is very familiar with your collections. You may even find it helpful to ask someone outside of your organization to browse, search, and give you feedback.


A few questions you can ask yourself are:

  • Have recently cataloged items been shared?
  • Do you see broken images in Random Images?
  • Is the contact information in your page header or footer up to date?
  • Has your logo or branding changed?


Some of these modifications, like those related to the records and images that are shared on your site, can be resolved by creating and uploading your files again. For the appearance of your site, including your hours, contact details, logo, or color scheme, you will need to make changes in the Interface Management Site (IMS). If you aren't comfortable working in IMS on your own, please reach out! Our team is happy to make IMS changes for you for no cost.


Here are a few resources if you are looking for a refresher:

Most Visited Sites in 2024


We are excited to announce the five most visited PastPerfect Online sites in 2024!

1. Detroit Historical Society


The most visited PPO site in 2024, the Detroit Historical Society in Detroit, Michigan, had an astounding 297,000 views between January 1st and November 30th! Lose yourself in more than 46,000 items from their extensive collection at https://detroithistorical.pastperfectonline.com

2. Wellington County Museum & Archives


Located in Fergus, Ontario, WCMA is sharing just under 50,000 artifacts and archival records reflecting the history of the people, places, and organizations of Wellington County. Check out this varied catalog at https://wcma.pastperfectonline.com.

3. The Indiana Album


This organization based in Indianapolis, Indiana, has a unique collection of over 25,000 photographs and postcards "lingering in albums, attics, and basements throughout the state" that have been contributed by the community. Find glimpses of life in Indiana from all eras at https://indianaalbum.pastperfectonline.com.

4. Westchester County Historical Society


Elmsford, New York boasts one of the 10 oldest historical societies in the country with the Westchester County Historical Society. Browse through their catalog of over 71,000 records at https://westchester.pastperfectonline.com.

5. Portsmouth Athenaeum


Portsmouth Athenaeum, found in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, celebrated 18 years of using PastPerfect Online in 2024! View more than 81,000 of their online records at https://athenaeum.pastperfectonline.com.

Grant Spotlight

Applications for the National Digital Newspaper Program, offered by the National

Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), are open. The application is due by January 10, 2025.


The National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP) is a partnership between the National

Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress (LC) to create a national digital resource of historically significant newspapers published between 1690 and 1963, from all the states and U.S. jurisdictions. This searchable database will be permanently maintained at LC and will be freely accessible online (see the Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers website.


Guidelines for this grant are available at https://www.neh.gov/grants/preservation/national-digital-newspaper-program.



Applications for the Humanities Collections and Reference Resources (HCRR) grant, offered by the NEH, are anticipated to be available starting April 15, 2025. The currently anticipated deadline to apply is July 15, 2025.


HCRR advances scholarship, education, and public engagement in the humanities by helping libraries, archives, museums, and historical organizations across the country steward important collections of books and manuscripts, photographs, sound recordings and moving images, archaeological and ethnographic artifacts, art and material culture, and digital objects.


As the cycle approaches, guidelines for this grant will be available at https://www.neh.gov/grants/preservation/humanities-collections-and-reference-resources. Until then, you can use this page to review the guidelines from the previous cycle for an idea of what the application process is like.

Featured Sites

Monrovia Legacy Project

National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors

Shiawassee District Library

View more PastPerfect Online sites on our List of Collections page.

If your site is not listed and you would like to be, please let us know by sending an email with your organization name to pposupport@museumsoftware.com.
Need help with your PastPerfect Online site?
Contact us! Please email pposupport@museumsoftware.com or call 1-800-562-6080 if you have any questions about your PastPerfect Online site. Our team is happy to help!
This newsletter is for clients who use PastPerfect Online. We intend to use it as a way to discuss features and training opportunities as well as planned maintenance. Feel free to forward to anyone in your organization who would benefit from its content.

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