Assessment of Local History Manuscripts and Records

FAIN: PG-50316-08

Litchfield Historical Society (Litchfield, CT 06759-0385)
Linda Marie Hocking (Project Director: May 2007 to November 2008)

Hiring a consultant to conduct a preservation assessment of manuscripts, works of art on paper, maps, architectural drawings, photographs, and posters related to the history of Litchfield, Connecticut, from the 18th through the 20th centuries.

This project will provide the Litchfield Historical Society with a general preservation survey of its Ingraham Memorial Library collections. The survey will provide an overall review of the general conditions of the paper based collections; evaluate existing storage and handling practices and provide recommendations for improvements, taking the new facilities under construction into consideration; establish priorities for conservation activities, especially as pertains to the place of conserving new acquisitions within the overall conservation needs of the collection; assess building and environmental challenges in existing storage spaces in preparation for planned improvements to the structure and environmental controls; and identify and address fire protection and security concerns, including emergency preparedness.