Rehousing Supplies for Textile Collection and Integrated Pest Management Planning

FAIN: PG-233565-16

Long Island Museum of American Art, History, and Carriages (Stony Brook, NY 11790-1931)
Joshua Ruff (Project Director: May 2015 to May 2018)

The rehousing of approximately 850 textile objects related to American life, art, and transportation in Long Island, with an emphasis on the 19th and 20th centuries.  Items include household textiles and clothing related to the family of artist William Sidney Mount, historic costumes, samplers and quilts, and items of clothing related to the museum’s historic carriage collection. The project would also support the development and implementation of an integrated pest management system for the museum.

The Long Island Museum proposes a third phase of improved care for its renowned collection of historic textiles, horse-drawn vehicles, and American art. This request follows the successful completion of a conservation assessment survey and two previous collections care advancements, each supported by NEH preservation assistance grants. In this phase, LIM turns its attention towards additional objectives prioritized by conservator Gwen Spicer in her 2010 consultation. Spicer advised rehousing areas of the textile collection – specifically the museum's collections of clothing, footwear, quilts and coverlets. She also suggested implementing new housekeeping and IPM (Integrated Pest Management) plans and the adoption of a more "holistic approach in forming our collection care strategy." This is precisely what the LIM would like to accomplish. This phase will provide new archival rehousing for close to 850 of our textiles and the institution of new housekeeping and IPM plans.