Fort Worth Museum of Science and History Collections and Archives Preservation Assessment

FAIN: PG-263603-19

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History (Fort Worth, TX 76107-4062)
Lacie Ballinger (Project Director: May 2018 to December 2018)
Chanin Scanlon (Project Director: December 2018 to March 2020)

A preservation assessment of history, archival, and science collections related to Texas and the Southwest, located in two storage facilities. The collections comprise more than 180,000 items, with emphasis on pre-Columbian, Native American, and ranch and agricultural life in Texas and the southwestern United States, as well as Fort Worth history. Specific items include saddlery, household materials, photographs, and manuscripts.

A preservation assessment of the collections and archives of the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History (FMWHS), which includes archival records, photographs, and historic objects as well as natural history objects (more than 180,000 items in total). These items document the history of Texas and the Southwest from prehistoric times to today. FWMSH houses significant historical and cultural collections divided into twenty-five sections, including adornment and achievement, books, medical equipment; shields and armor; military technology; musical instruments, and more. These are made available to the public through exhibits and educational programs and serve as a research resource. This grant would support a comprehensive conservation and preservation assessment conducted. The conservation consultant would provide an overview of the current condition of the collections, highlight specific problems, and provide guidance and plan for addressing these issues.