Barnstable Historical Society Preservation Assessment

FAIN: PG-50267-08

Barnstable Historical Society (Barnstable, MA 02630-1107)
Robert D. Stewart (Project Director: May 2007 to December 2009)

A general preservation assessment of Barnstable Historical Society's manuscript collections, including documentation of early American glassmaking, New England's cranberry and fishing industries, and rare Native American land sale documents. These collections reflect the history of one of the earliest established communities in colonial America.

The Barnstable Historical Society is requesting funds to hire a consultant from the Northeast Document Conservation Center to provide a general preservation survey of the paper-based library and archival materials. The survey would assess possible risks to collections from building-and environment-related problems; address fire protection and security concerns, including emergency preparedness; evaluate institutional policies and procedures as they apply to preservation; review the existing collection maintenance program in terms of shelf preparation, book repair and commercial binding; provide recommendations for improving storage and handling practices and; review the general conditoni of paper-based collections.