A flood of memories

In 1969, young filmmakers in Whitesburg, Kentucky formed a community film workshop as part of the U.S. Government's War on Poverty. Its aim was to offer a counter narrative to the one that made Eastern Kentucky the poster child for American poverty. The workshop focused on real stories that reflected the people, culture, and history of the region, all told by Appalachians. The successful program became Appalshop, which houses a beloved community archive that has preserved the stories and memories of the region for over 50 years.

On the morning of July 28, 2022, a thousand-year flood ravaged the area, causing water levels on the Kentucky River to rise over 22 feet. The Appalshop Archive in Whitesburg was completely under water.

Caroline Rubens, the director of the archive, woke up that morning to the news. Her life's work was at risk of being lost.

"As soon as the waters receded, I went out with a Hefty^® bag because there were archival items that were just strewn along the road, like audio tape, completely unruffled, wound around flag poles. We just started trying to pick things up. Everything was covered with mud." - Caroline Rubens, Director, Appalshop

Heat and humidity are two of the biggest enemies in preservation, especially when it comes to moving image media. Rubens and her team immediately began to try and take inventory of the assets, even as they were covered in mud, debris, and mold. The team was unsure what to do, but knew they had to securely store what remained and find a partner they could trust to help them move forward.