[MassHistPres] Workshop on Collections Management

[Joanna_Doherty at nps.gov]

The Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission and the
Northeast Museum Services Center are offering a Collections Management
Workshop on Monday, November 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Woonsocket,
RI.  Although aimed primarily at historical societies, historic sites,
libraries and others in the Blackstone Valley, anyone is welcome to attend.
Do make sure to RSVP to me by October 26 so that we can plan for the
appropriate number of people.  And note that we are asking participants to
bring a brown bag lunch.

Here are the details:

Collections Management Workshop
Monday, November 8, 2010
9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Heritage Corridor Headquarters
One Depot Square, Woonsocket, RI

Does your organization have a collection of historic artifacts - documents,
photographs, maps, textiles, furniture and other objects?
Do you have questions about the best way to protect your collections so
that visitors, researchers and others can learn from and enjoy it for years
to come?
Join historical societies and sites from across the Blackstone Valley for a
free workshop on the care and management of historic collections.

Learn about best practices and get practical advice from two experts from
the National Park Service’s Northeast Museum Services Center – Brigid
Sullivan, Chief Curator for the Northeast Region and
Laurel Racine, Senior Curator for Research and Special Projects.

Topics include:

Developing a Scope of Collections Statement
-- What types of artifacts does your organization have and what are you
interested in collecting?

Museum Records and Cataloging
-- What is the best way to maintain good records of what is in your
collections?

Collections Preservation
-- What housekeeping practices will help preserve your collections? How can
you create a stable environment and keep damaging pests away?

Collections Storage
-- What storage solutions are best for the types of items in your
collections?

Exhibits and Interpretive Planning
-- What stories do your collections tell?  How can you best convey that
information to the public?

Sources of Funding
-- What grants are available to help with collections management projects?

** This workshop is free but registration is required. RSVP by October 26
to Joanna Doherty (401-762-0250 x14 or joanna_doherty at nps.gov).

** In order to keep this workshop free, lunch will not be provided.  Please
bring a brown-bag lunch.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Joanna M. Doherty, Community Planner
John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley
     National Heritage Corridor
One Depot Square
Woonsocket, RI  02895
(401) 762-0250 x14
(401) 762-0530 fax
joanna_doherty at nps.gov