Assessing the Preservation Needs of Art and Archives Collections

FAIN: PG-50561-09

Laramie Plains Museum (Laramie, WY 82070-3243)
Connie Lindmier (Project Director: May 2008 to March 2010)

A preservation assessment of the museum's art and archives collections, which document the history of Laramie and include materials related to the Union Pacific Railroad, ranching, and the settlement of the West. Consultants will also provide preservation training for the museum's staff and volunteers.

This project will be used to conduct on-site training, implement the next step of a three-year move plan to upgrade environment, storage, and improve accessibility for 900 art/archival items (and 1,500 photos contained within 23 photo albums). We will hire two consultants: a conservation consultant to conduct on-site training emphasizing collections care, rehousing, storage, and preparation for scanning art/archival holdings; and an art curator consultant to help develop plans for arranging, describing and addressing the preservation needs for LPM art holdings. The LPM curator will direct volunteers and staff who will spend ten months (with assistance from the consultants) to implement the goals and objectives of this project. At its completion, LPM's art/archives collection will be accessible, rehoused, prioritized for scanning, and a large portion (80%) will be moved from attic or basement storage to improved storage in an area that will eventually be climate controlled.