Support for Archival Collections at Lutheran Archives Center at Philadelphia

FAIN: PG-50522-09

Lutheran Archives Center at Philadelphia (Philadelphia, PA 19119-1726)
John E. Peterson (Project Director: May 2008 to October 2010)

The purchase of preservation supplies and environmental monitoring equipment to improve long range care of archival collections documenting American religious history.

Lutheran Archives Center at Philadelphia (LACP) will upgrade environmental conditions for its humanities collections by installing UV filters for lighting to bring UV levels within prescribed archival standards and by replacing acidic housing in the Ministerium of Pennsylvania (MOP) Collection. The MOP Collection (1748-1962) holds particular significance for researchers worldwide, who study its personal papers and early organizational archives for publication in many humanities fields (religion, history, philosophy, sociology, political science, folklore, linguistics, and more). The Henry Melchior Muhlenberg Papers within the collection are considered the premier Muhlenberg collection in North America. The senior Muhlenberg established the Lutheran Church in America; three of his sons are noted figures in American history. This project dovetails with LACP's strategic plan and recommendations of expert consultants to assure the long-range preservation of these treasures.