Alice Ferguson Collections Preservation Assessment

FAIN: PG-50435-08

Alice Ferguson Foundation, Inc. (Accokeek, MD 20607-9794)
Tracy Bowen (Project Director: May 2007 to October 2009)

A preservation assessment of furniture, decorative and fine art, farm equipment, tools, archival materials, and photographs at the Hard Bargain Farm, a working farm that offers educational programs about the environment and the cultural heritage of the Potomac River Watershed.

"Alice Ferguson Collections: Assessment" will use NEH funds to hire a conservation consultant to assess the condition and preservation needs of the various collections of cultural artifacts and art objects currently held at the Alice Ferguson Foundation's Hard Bargain Farm in Accokeek, Maryland. Assessment is the first step needed to prepare long-range plans for conservation, preservation, and disaster preparedness, as well as to enhance access and utilization for educational programming and public exhibition. The overall assessment will examine collection installation, storage, access, and utilization of the AFF Farm House for display. The assessment will identify environmental controls and monitoring, prioritize treatment needs, and prepare long-range conservation planning.