Preservation Needs Assessment and Training for The Citadel Archives and Museum

FAIN: PG-52274-14

Citadel, The (Charleston, SC 29409-0001)
Dwight Walsh (Project Director: May 2013 to December 2014)
David S. Goble (Project Director: December 2014 to December 2015)

A preservation assessment, staff training, and purchase of supplies at the Citadel Archives and Museum. The collections hold institutional records, diaries, visual art, photographs, and artifacts that document the history of liberal arts education at the Citadel since its founding in 1842. The collections primarily concern U.S. and institutional history, including papers of two past presidents of the Citadel and one superintendent, a U.S. Congressman, as well as the war historian and journalist Bruce Catton. Materials include 130 uniforms, 33 cadet diaries, 40 oil paintings, and 1,500 photographs.

The Citadel Archives & Museum staff seeks funding to hire a consultant to provide preservation needs assessment and training related to preserving, storing, displaying, and securing various types of materials including letters, photographs, maps, diaries, oil paintings, and textiles (uniforms and flags). This training would involve cross training Archives staff in addition to the Museum Supervisor, incorporating best practices, improving security measures, and preparing for disasters. We want to preserve our institutional heritage to educate present and future generations of learners.