HARRISONBURG, Va. – (Rocktown Now) James Madison University Libraries and the Rockingham County Circuit Court earned a Commonwealth Technology Award for their partnership on the “Histories Along the Blue Ridge” project.

The two groups celebrated that award last week.  The project was a collaborative effort focused on preserving, digitizing, and making accessible historical court records from Rockingham County and the City of Harrisonburg.

Circuit Court Clerk Chaz Haywood explained the court records’ importance to multiple generations of community members in the city and county. He cited the families who were displaced nearly a century ago with the formation of Shenandoah National Park as an example.

“It’s very important to me to make sure the community knows that these are their records,” Haywood said. “They’re not mine. We’re just going to make sure they’re there for you.”

Haywood added that he thinks this could go to other universities because there are so many courts that have records that are lost and there are many secret treasures that are tucked away.

“You know, I think with the award means is that we’re doing something right to be recognized as the best in the Commonwealth,” Haywood said.