Storage Rehousing Plan for Textile Collection

FAIN: PG-233067-16

Museum of Jewish Heritage-A Living Memorial to the Holocaust (New York, NY 10280-1502)
Erica Blumenfeld (Project Director: April 2015 to September 2017)

A preservation assessment focusing on the storage needs of 900 textiles from the 19th to the 21st century that help to tell the story of Jewish and Jewish American life before, during, and after World War II, with a focus on the Holocaust and its aftermath.  Items in the collection include ceremonial textiles, such as prayer shawls and textiles associated with the circumcision ritual, pieces related to the Holocaust such as concentration camp uniforms and clothing made immediately after liberation, as well as everyday textiles such as household linens, flags, and banners.

The Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust maintains a collection of 900 textiles representing all aspects of Jewish communal and private life, including ritual and ceremonial items, and objects of historical significance to the Holocaust and pre- and post-war periods. Collection textiles date from the late 19th century to the present day and illustrate the global reach and diversity of the Jewish experience. The inherent fragility and compelling nature of the textile collection underscores the need for lasting storage solutions. To that end, the Museum seeks to develop a textile rehousing plan. A textile conservator will survey current storage conditions and provide recommendations for ideal practices for the categories of textiles in the Museum's collection. These suggestions will inform the development of a detailed plan outlining and prioritizing appropriate storage measures the Museum intends to implement.