Installing Environmental and Security Systems and Rehousing Collections

FAIN: PA-51420-05

Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum (Decorah, IA 52101)
Tova K. Brandt (Project Director: October 2004 to October 2008)

The purchase and installation of environmental, fire detection and suppression, and security systems; the purchase and installation of compact shelving; the documentation and cleaning of artifacts; the relocation and rehousing of the collections in the newly renovated storage area.

Vesterheim requests grant funds to re-house approximately 10,000 objects, or 42% of its collection, in a new curatorial research center adjacent to the museum complex. As objects are moved, they will also be digitally photographed and assessed for conservation needs. Vesterheim has an agreement to purchase the property by June 2005 and will renovate it to provide a secure, climate-controlled environment where the collection can be both stored and researched, increasing physical and intellectual access to this internationally significant collection.