A Preservation Assessment of the Union Memorial Hospital Archives

FAIN: PG-50643-09

MedStar Research Institute (Hyattsville, MD 20783-3245)
Carole Lever (Project Director: May 2008 to October 2010)

A preservation assessment of the Union Memorial Hospital archives' audiovisual collection, dating from 1903 to the present; attendance at audiovisual and photographic workshops; and the purchase of recommended storage furniture, environmental monitoring equipment, and minor preservation supplies to rehouse the 5,761 items in this historic collection.

The UMH Archives invested in a preservation assessment survey. This project will focus on visual and audio materials to ensure an effective response to the survey, to further accessibility and meet long-term plans. Our collections preserve the history, culture and education of health care in the Baltimore area since 1854. Through exhibitions and a research room we support an organizational mission to address the needs of the sick, the poor and the infirm. UMH employs progressive humanitarian attitudes to meet the needs of a diverse patient population, especially those with moderate or no income. In our tradition of creative response based on need, a portable operating room brought care into private homes; the device is the prototype for MASH units. Our Curtis Hand Center made international news for a unique surgery transferring a toe to a hand on a soldier. The UMH Archives illustrates over 100 years of our female founders' humanitarian spirit to the Maryland community & beyond.