Preservation Needs Assessment of Historical Collections

FAIN: PA-51116-05

Town of Winchester (Winchester, MA 01890-2706)
Carolyn Ward (Project Director: May 2004 to June 2006)

A preservation and access assessment at three sites for archival, artifact, and special library collections that reflect the history of Winchester, Massachusetts, from the 18th to 20th centuries.

The Town of Winchester, under the direction of the Town Clerk and with the collaboration of the Winchester Historical Society and the Winchester Public Library, proposes to hire a consultant to conduct a preservation needs assessment of its historical collections. The consultant will survey three sites: Town Hall (Archival Center, two storage vaults, Engineering and Planning Departments, and offices of the Town Clerk); Public Library (Local History Room); and the Sanborn House (artifacts formerly part of the archives). The final report will address general condition of the collections, environment, housing, security, emergency preparedness, access, and use with recommendations for a collaborative long-term preservation and management plan.