Condition Survey of the Archives and Training in Preservation for Volunteers

FAIN: PG-50745-10

Westport Historical Society (Westport, CT 06881-0776)
Cheryl Ann Bliss (Project Director: May 2009 to December 2011)

A condition assessment of the collection and an in-house workshop on preservation practices for staff and volunteers. The society's collections include local history scrapbooks, diaries, maps, pamphlets, shipping manifests, and ledgers dating to the 18th century as well as memorabilia from several prominent artists and entertainers who have resided in Westport.

The purpose of the Collection Condition Survey is to assess condition, to establish where intervene treatment is needed and to set treatment priorities. This type of survey was highly recommended in a Conservation Assessment Report. Westport was and continues to be called home to well known cartoonists, illustrators, playwrights,actors, authors, and composers to name a few. The archives is fortunate to have among its collection belongings of a group of such talented individuals who transformed Westport into a center of American creative influence. With the completion of this survey, the Westport Historical Society will be able to develop a long term preservation plan so that the public today and in the future will be able to learn about such individuals who have contributed to our country's heritage in their own special way. Also,the consultant will conduct a training session on preservation in regards to the archives so the volunteers will understand their roles in this area.