MOVING FORWARD: Planning and Implementing a Collection Move Lauren Fuka, U-M Museum of Anthropological Archaeology Kelsey Wiggins, U-M Museum of Natural History Erica Travis, Sloan Museum Julie Cook, Historic Ford Estates
Julie Cook Collections Coordinator Historic Ford Estates
Two Estates = Twice the Need ● 11,000+ objects combined ● Standard historic house museum problems ● Unique issues with the restoration project Objects needing to be Basement Storage relocated for restoration Architectural elements original to FL at EEFH work at FL but not the period restoration efforts are aimed at
The Solution.. .
Planning • Comprehensive inventory of the collections • Storage Planning • Supply Inventory • Summer Intern Assistance • Cleaning up records and locations
Thank you
Erica Travis, Collections Manager Sloan Museum, Flint
Collection & Move Overview ▶ Collecting Scope : Life, Work, Governance, the Built Environment, Individuals and Ideas in Flint/Genesee County ▶ 3 storage locations at start of move; 4 presently ▶ 45,000+ records in Objects Catalog ▶ Two Full Time, One Part time Collections Staff ▶ $115K Move Budget ▶ May 2019 Deadline
Collections Storage
Challenges ▶ Resources: ▶ Short staff and staff turnover ▶ Tight budget ▶ Limited equipment/supplies ▶ Logistical concerns: ▶ Frequently shifting timeline ▶ Campus construction ▶ Moving during silent phases of renovation planning and new exhibition content development ▶ Non-ideal recordkeeping
Solutions ▶ Staffing: ▶ Volunteers ▶ Staff members from other departments ▶ Part time, temporary staff ▶ Offsite storage: an unconventional option ▶ Supplies/Equipment: ▶ Standardize as much as possible ▶ Mix archival and non-archival materials thoughtfully ▶ Splurge when absolutely necessary ▶ Recordkeeping: let your CMS do the heavy lifting and set yourself up for future success ▶ Collecting and outgoing loan moratorium, limiting research hours
Packing and Recordkeeping Unit Lists Box arrangement and strapping
Materials and Modifications
Storing and Loading
Large Object Moves
Where we are now…
Lauren Fuka, Collection Manager U-M Museum of Anthropological Archaeology • UMMAA: • Estimated 3 million artifacts (sensitive, fragile, high monetary value, heavy) • Stored in more than 300 cabinets/shelving units, in 10 different rooms, in 2 different buildings • Goal- reunite collections that had long been separated in different buildings across campus Birchbark basket, Michigan (late 19th-early 20th c.) Projectile points, Illinois (2100–1100 BC) Ceramic vessel, Peru (200 BC–AD 600)
Research Museums Center (RMC) 2014- During Renovations Present Day Photo by Richard Rabeler Photo by Lauren Fuka
UMMAA’s Old Collection Storage • Wooden cabinets and wooden drawers • Cabinets/drawers warp over time • Sensitive to temperature and humidity fluctuations • Difficult to open • Drawers can fall onto level below • Severe Overcrowding • Difficult to inventory • Artifacts can be easily damaged
Inventory A move is a great opportunity to • inventory collections- if you have the time and people Utilized student assistants • Three levels of accountability • Corrigan - Verify number of • carts/boxes/pallets arrive at RMC MovePlan - Verify correct • number of items in drawer arrive at RMC UMMAA- Item-level (or box- • level) inventory before AND AFTER. Update database with new storage locations
Research Museums Center (RMC)
New Cabinets A-1 A-23 A-2a & A-2b
Space Planning and Mapping
Space Planning and Mapping • The “invisible drawer” • A template constructed in the size/dimension of an A-1 drawer • Lay artifacts out on table within the “invisible drawer” to determine how many A-1 drawers would be needed for a drawer at Ruthven
Space Planning and Mapping
Space Planning and Mapping
Space Planning and Mapping
Space Planning and Mapping
University of Michigan, Museum of Natural History • Kelsey Wiggins – Associate Registrar • 75-80% moved into new museum/storage facilities (soft opening April 12-13) • Taxidermy birds/mammals, fossils, skeletons, anthropological artifacts, minerals, models, casts, etc. • Toxins, Pests, and Legal issues! Biological Sciences Building Ruthven Museums Building
Toxins • Arsenic • During a move this is your time to: • Barium • Identify • Lead • Mark • Radiation • Contain • Asbestos • Assemble
Pests • Pests are always a • If possible.. during a move: concern • Scan • During a move, • Contain collections are even • Freeze (-20F) more susceptible to • Clean pests • Monitor • Prior to a move, utilize resources to schedule a freezer for use
Legal Issues Contact Info: NAGPRA What to look out for? • Human remains • Native American Graves Telephone: 202-354-2201 Protection and • Funerary/burial objects FAX: 202-371-5197 Repatriation Act • Items that could be identified E-mail: • All museums that have NAGPRA_Info@nps.gov as “sacred” or “ceremonial” received federal funding • Has your institution ever filed a NAGPRA inventory?
Legal Issues Tourist Industry Sensitive species • Jewelry (teeth, shell, bones) • Any endangered species (including subspecies) • Exotic taxidermy • Birds under Migratory • Clothes (leather, furs) Bird act • Pills/supplements (animal • Specifically eagles ingredients: bone or horn) • Specimens with zero provenance
Legal Issues • Local SE Michigan Special Agent: Contact U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services: 1) Send them a list of photos and objects of • Douglas Ault: douglas_ault@fws.gov concern • 317 Metty Drive, Suite 1 2) They will send out an agent to investigate if Ann Arbor, MI 48103 there is cause for concern (734) 995-0387 Fax: (734) 995-0439 1) Option A: USF&WS can seize said specimens and send confirmation at a later date. • Search USF&WS Law Enforcement 2) Option B: USF&WS can leave specimens needed Stations by State for education/exhibition, but they will own them. They will send loan paperwork at a later date. Don’t be afraid to contact. They are here to HELP!
Questions? Contact Info: Erica Travis Lauren Fuka Registrar and Collection Manager, Collection Manager, U-M Museum of Sloan Museum Anthropological Archaeology ETravis@sloanlongway.org LFuka@umich.edu 810-237-3435 734-763-0655 Julie Cook Kelsey Wiggins Collections Coordinator, Associate Registrar, U-M Museum of Historic Ford Estates Natural History JCook@fordhouse.org KelseyWi@umich.edu 313-692-0020 734-647-3232
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