HomeHow to Contribute

How to Contribute

Thank you for your interest in contributing to the online collections. 

All submitted cultural resources are subject to review for authentication by the Collection Committee. Please see the archive's Collection and Acquisitions Policy for more information.

All submitted items for review are required to include an image of the items in an attached file. For example, image files are created via a scan of a document or a photograph taken of a physical object.


Instructions:

Step 1: Create a User Account

To submit an item, all contributors are required to register as a guest user by creating a login. In the upper right-hand corner of the site, you will find "Login" and "Register". Click register to create a guest user username and password for login.  

  • Please confirm your registration with the link sent to your email. Please note that some confirmation emails might appear in spam folders. Here is what the confirmation email should look like in your inbox:

  • Once your registration is confirmed, please log in. This login will allow you to begin submitting items to the site.

Step 2: Describe the Item and Fill Out the Submission Form

1. Find "Contribute an Item" in the dropdown menu under "Contact and Contribute". Begin with uploading an image of the item you would like to submit.

  • Examples of methods to do so include the scanning of documents, a photo of a document taken by mobile phone, photographs of physical objects taken by mobile phone or a camera, and other methods of choice. File formats allowed include JPEG, PDF, PSD, PNG, GIF, and TIFF.
  • Please note: If you wish to upload multiple images for one item, be sure to merge images into a single file. For example, JPEG images can be converted into PDF files and merged into one PDF document.

2. Please answer the questions asked by the submission form. Leave questions blank if you cannot answer. However, the more information provided to the Collection Committee, the better case for item(s) authentication.

Here is the questionaire: 

  • Contributor information: What is your hobo moniker? Please indicate if you wish to remain anonymous.

  • Title of the item(s) – What is the name of the item? 

  • Date – What time period does this come from? Please indicate specific months, day, or years, if possible. 
    • For example, the date of a newspaper article, a book’s year of publication, or the time period in which a piece of hobo art was made. 
  • Subject – Categorize your item using the following labels:
    • If you believe the item is culturally authentic, please use the keywords "culture" and history". 
    • If you believe the item relates to popular culture stereotypes and misrepresentations of rail-riding, please use the keywords "popular culture", "stereotype", and "misrepresentation."
    • Please separate each keyword with a comma.
    • Suggested words and topics to use to identify your item(s): art, letter, jungle, hitchhike, travel, Britt, history, culture, heritage, stories, train, railroad, hobo queen, hobo king, convention, bindlestiff, mulligan stew, camp, hobo art, cooking, utensils, hobo codes, autobiography, biography, disease, museum, woodworking, painting, interview. Words and topics are not limited to this list. 
      • You may also wish to include specific hobo monikers and other names as well. For example, "Fryin' Pan Jack", "Mountain Dew", "Steamtrain Maury", "Hood River Blackie".
    • Description of the item(s) – Describe the item in detail. Are there any stories behind it? 
      • For example, you could identify a hobo in a photograph or you could identify the artist who made a piece of art. You could also share stories about the items.
    • Creator/Source – Who made this? Where did it come from?  
      • For example, items that originated in Britt or hobo art created by a specific person.
    • Publisher/Rights – Who holds the rights over this? 
      • Examples include property rights, intellectual rights, publishing companies, or any other copyright.

    Step 3: Complete Submission Form and Submit

      3. Then, please indicate yes/no if you would like your item(s) to be published on the site. This option allows you to indicate if you'd like to include your item(s) in the archive and make available for the public to access, or if you'd like to include your item(s) in the archive but not make available for public access.

      4. Please indicate if you would like to keep your identity private for an anonymous contribution.

      5. In order to submit, you must agree to the Terms and Conditions.

      6. Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation email notifying you that the Collection Committee has received your item(s). Here is the confirmation email you should receive: 

      Once submitted, your contributions will be redirected to the Collection Committee for authentication approval. You will be notified by email when your contributions are uploaded to the site. If your contributions are deemed "inauthentic" by the Collection Committee, under the criteria of the Collection and Acquisitions Policy, you will be notified by email.

      Contribute