The Encyclopedia of New York State, a project under way at Syracuse University Press, has received a $340,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). The award includes a $140,000 grant and $200,000 in matching funds; the project directors will initiate a campaign to raise the $200,000 in base money to access the NEH matching funds by approaching foundations, corporations and private individuals.
"The financial assistance of the NEH is very welcome, as is the recognition of The Encyclopedia of New York State as a leading state encyclopedia project, one that will be of interest to the entire nation," says Peter Eisenstadt, editor of the encyclopedia.
Funds from the grant will be used to offset the editorial costs of producing the encyclopedia, the first comprehensive study of New York state in more than 50 years. The book will chronicle the state's vast contribution to history and politics; its distinctive cultural traditions; and its heritage in religion, education, business and social reform. Coverage of local history and culture from every part of the state will be included.
The print version--scheduled for publication in 2004--will include in its 1,500 pages some 4,500 entries written by more than 1,000 authors. An online version will be published on the Web in 2005. Each of the 780 public libraries in New York state will receive a copy of the book as a gift from the state to its citizens.
Major funding for the project has come from the New York State Senate through special legislative grants sponsored by Sen. John DeFrancisco (R-49, Syracuse). The Office of Cultural Education, part of the New York State Education Department, has provided a home for the editorial staff in Albany.
Syracuse University Press publishes about 80 books a year and is considered the leading publisher on books about New York state; more than 125 works on various aspects of the state's political, cultural, literary, religious and natural history are currently in print.
