Environmental Monitoring for the Fundación Luis Muñoz Marín Collection

FAIN: PG-52028-13

Fundacion Luis Munoz Marin (San Juan, PR 00926)
Soraya Serra-Collazo (Project Director: May 2012 to September 2014)

The purchase of dataloggers and training of staff in monitoring and analyzing environmental conditions in the historic home and library of Puerto Rico's first elected governor, Luis Muñoz Marín (1898-1980). There are over 3,700 items displayed and available for study in the home and library, including original drafts of Muñoz Marín's memoirs, as well as his books, photographs, furniture, and art. The museum uses the site and the collections to tell the story of mid-20th century Puerto Rican social, economic, and political history.

A historical collection is held by Fundación Luis Muñoz Marín on behalf of the public trust. The Historic House Museum and the Historical Archives hold over two million 20th Century Puerto Rican, American and Latin American historical documents pertinent to the study of recent Puerto Rican history, Puerto Rico-United States political relationships and U.S.-Caribbean policies. Also, the collection includes photos, ephemera, audiovisual materials and historical objects. The proposed project will encompass the collection permanently exhibited at the historic house residence and the office/library which holds the documents, belongings and memorabilia of the first elected Puerto Rican governor, Luis Muñoz Marín. The grant will support one year of environmental monitoring at both historical buildings. The project pursues the purchasing and installation of environmental monitoring equipment, subscription to a data analysis tool, and consultation with museum environment specialists.