State Historical Records Advisory Board (SHRAB)

Mission and Vision Statement

The Massachusetts State Historical Records Advisory Board (SHRAB) is the central advisory body for historical records coordination in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The SHRAB provides guidance and support to Massachusetts institutions, organizations, and repositories that manage historical records. The SHRAB helps share information among historical records repositories, provides training on archival topics, and administers programs to help preserve and provide access to archival materials.

The SHRAB serves as the state-level review body for grant proposals submitted to the National Historical Records and Publications Commission (NHPRC). All SHRAB activities are made possible through funding from the NHPRC, and all state SHRABs are authorized under federal regulations governing the NHPRC (36 CFR Chapter 12).

In Massachusetts, the SHRAB also serves as the Archives Advisory Commission (AAC). The Secretary of the Commonwealth and the Governor appoint volunteer Board members in accordance with MGL Chapter 9 Section 2A. Board members represent many different archival constituencies, spanning public and private institutions of many sizes.