Sustainable Care for the University of Montana’s Anthropological Museum Collections

FAIN: PF-255845-17

University of Montana (Missoula, MT 59801-4494)
Kelly J. Dixon (Project Director: December 2016 to September 2023)

An implementation project to upgrade environmental controls and rehouse artifacts in the University of Montana’s Anthropological Curation Facility (UMACF), which holds an extensive collection of ethnographic materials on the American West. The project would be undertaken in partnership with tribal representatives, who would collaborate on community-based policies for preventive conservation, storage, and handling strategies.

The University of Montana Anthropological Curation Facility (UMACF) is respectfully requesting a National Endowment for the Humanities Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections Implementation Grant to: 1) upgrade the environmental controls, conservation upgrades, and security in the UMACF’s repository in ways that reduce the UMACF’s reliance on mechanical systems while still maintaining ideal climate control and security for the collections; and 2) to support travel costs for collaborative ventures with Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPOs) and Tribal Culture Committees to rehouse approximately 675 cultural (i.e. ethnographic) objects representing Rocky Mountain Front and Great Plains heritage. These objects represent the region’s great accomplishments from the past.