Enhancing Emergency Preparedness at Historic Huguenot Street

FAIN: PG-258339-18

Huguenot Historical Society (New Paltz, NY 12561-1415)
Josephine Bloodgood (Project Director: May 2017 to March 2021)

Hiring a consultant to undertake a risk assessment and offer staff training for care of humanities collections at the Historic Huguenot Street site in New York’s Hudson Valley.  Seven stone houses and structures, dating to the 17^th and 18^th centuries, make up the National Historic Landmark site, which collects, preserves, and interprets the stories of the Huguenots’ journey in America. The museum collections include paintings, furniture, jewelry, clothing, quilts, and musical instruments, while a research library and archives preserve early business account books, family papers, and other original documents that tell the history of New Paltz from its founding in 1677 through the 20^th century.

Historic Huguenot Street (HHS) seeks support to augment emergency preparedness planning specifically for humanities collections at its 10-acre National Historic Landmark District in New York’s Hudson Valley. The project entails a risk assessment for each of the buildings where collections are stored or displayed; a comprehensive Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan; and subsequent training for HHS staff and volunteers. With more than 14,000 collections pieces and seven historic house museums, resource-specific planning for emergency preparedness and disaster response is critical. A wide-range of potential events must be considered, including extreme weather such as record snow and intense rain associated with hurricanes such as Sandy and Irene. HHS staff has enlisted Barbara Moore, a conservator and experienced emergency preparedness consultant, to guide the plan development process and train staff in disaster recovery techniques.