Historical Collections in Jeopardy: The Societe d'Encouragement pour l'Industrie Nationale

Abstract

The Societe d'Encouragement pour l'Industrie Nationale, over its nearly two centuries of existence, has accumulated a treasure trove of books and documents invaluable to the history of applied science, technology, and engineering in France. However, these collections, and even the society's continuing existence, is little known to scholars. The nature of these collections, as well as various attempts to organize and preserve them, are described. Despite those attempts, the society neglected its extensive library and archival holdings until 1995, when, inspired by its approaching bicentennial, it formed the Commission d'Histoire et du Bicentennaire. The commission combines society officers and a small number of scholars. The commission's limited funding, though, raises doubts about the future of the society's books and records, as well as scholarly access to them both today and tomorrow. If the collections' preservation is not ensured, the potential loss to scholars will be overwhelming.