BMO Archives
Celebrating a Unique Collection of Canadian Archives
Client
Bank of Montreal
Year
2022
Expertise
We worked with The Bank of Montreal (BMO) Corporate Archives to launch their new archival website in celebration of their 205th anniversary. We imported over 12,000 files featuring unique collections of past BMO employees and the events that helped drive Canada’s economic growth. Built to be reiterative, BMO can continue to expand their collections for years to come.
Why this project was a success
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1
Implemented a custom WordPress CMS to offer flexibility and control over the site.
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2
Utilized ACF blocks to allow admins to display and view content before publishing.
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3
Built a clear navigation and search functionality to encourage further exploration.
Importing a Large Content Archive
With a large collection of employee photos and ledgers spanning more than 200 years, we helped BMO import over 12,000 images including its metadata in both French and English. We then created a search functionality for users to easily sift through content to discover past family members and how they contributed to BMO’s rich history.
Using React.js components we built modals that allow users to easily explore the collections without being rerouted to another page. While simplifying the user journey, it also makes content more digestible. Each collection item modal has its own individual URL. This will allow BMO to highlight and share individual items more easily, bringing their content to a wider audience.
Building a Flexible WordPress CMS
To empower site administrators to achieve their desired layout we built the site using custom ACF blocks. Our goal was to create a website that BMO can update and add collections to independently. With a customized CMS, their team can upload beautiful pages without being overwhelmed by their vast content.
Using blocks to break down content, admins can combine and display information in a variety of ways. It also allows them to see how their page will look before publishing, making content entry straightforward and unambiguous.
Prioritizing Website Security
For BMO, privacy is a big priority and we ensured their website would be protected against common vulnerabilities. We also made sure their intellectual property had an added layer of protection by removing the possibility of saving images.
About the client
BMO Corporate Archives is a division of the BMO Financial Group that is dedicated to documenting the evolution of the bank and its impact on North America’s financial industry. Their mandate is to collect, preserve and promote the heritage of its institution. Their team is made up of professionally-trained archivists that ensure the collections are accessible and properly preserved across all platforms.
