Achieving Sustainability in the Desert Environment: Improving Collections Storage at the Imperial Valley Desert Museum

FAIN: PG-52428-15

IVC Desert Museum SE Information Center (El Centro, CA 92244-2455)
Neal V. Hitch (Project Director: May 2014 to August 2016)

Hiring a consultant to evaluate storage layout and purchase supplies to improve storage and environmental conditions at the Imperial Valley Desert Museum. The museum is home to an archaeology and history collection that documents the culture collectively known as Yuman (Kumeyaay, San Dieguito, Kwaaymi, Queshan, and Cahuilla cultures), which inhabited the area of southern California and western Arizona from about 10,000 years ago through the present.  Included in the collection are prehistoric artifacts, whole ceramic vessels, called “ollas” by early Spanish settlers, and the archives of archaeologist Dr. Jay von Werhlof, who surveyed prehistoric geoglyphs (or landscape art) in the region.  The museum serves local, regional, and international audiences through exhibits, research, and education.

15,000 years ago the ancestors of the Kumeyaay nations lived in the most diverse environment of any indigenous population in the Americas. Their landscape ranged from the Pacific coast through the mountains and into the desert of Southern California. The Imperial Valley Desert Museum holds stewardship over the largest collection of Kumeyaay artifacts in the southwest. In 2015-2016, the IVDM will re-evaluate the collections storage layout, as suggested by a 2013 CAP, and install a new permanent exhibit that includes permanent visible storage. This grant will provide consultation with Dr. Nancy Odegaard, Head of the Arizona State Museum Preservation Division, who will guide the IVDM in developing a plan for the implementation of those projects, and purchase preservation materials suggested by a 2013 CAP report.

Media Coverage

Museum Awarded Two NEH Grants (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Sandy Sierra
Publication: Imperial Valley Press
Date: 12/14/2014
Abstract: News Paper article covering the award of NEH grants.

Safe and Secure Amid Shaking (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Neal V. Hitch
Publication: Imperial Valley Press
Date: 7/23/2016
Abstract: Local newspaper article featuring the success of techniques implemented thanks to the NEH preservation grant.
URL: http://www.ivpressonline.com/news/local/safe-and-secure-amid-shaking/article_935ea2c0-506d-11e6-890c-cf3169326927.html

Associated Products

Spirit of the Desert (Blog Post)
Title: Spirit of the Desert
Author: Anne Morgan
Abstract: Blog about the awarding of two NEH grants.
Date: 12/8/2014
Primary URL: http://ivdesertmuseum.blogspot.com/2014_12_01_archive.html
Primary URL Description: Blog website
Blog Title: Two NEH Grants Awarded
Website: Spirit of the Desert

Museum Awarded Two NEH Grant (Article)
Title: Museum Awarded Two NEH Grant
Author: Sandy Sierra
Abstract: Local newspaper article about the awarding of grants.
Year: 2014
Format: Newspaper
Publisher: Imperial Valley Press

Spirit of the Desert (Blog Post)
Title: Spirit of the Desert
Author: IV Desert Museum Staff
Abstract: Blog post about the installation of exhibit.
Date: 8/21/2015
Primary URL: http://ivdesertmuseum.blogspot.com/2015/08/a-dream-come-true.html
Primary URL Description: Museum Blog
Blog Title: Installation of Phase I and Phase II nearly complete!
Website: Spirit of the Desert

Spirit of the Desert (Blog Post)
Title: Spirit of the Desert
Author: Anne Morgan
Abstract: Blog post featuring the building of visible storage in exhibit.
Date: 8/30/2015
Primary URL: http://ivdesertmuseum.blogspot.com/2015/08/exhibit-work-continues.html
Primary URL Description: Imperial Valley Desert Museum Blog
Blog Title: Exhibit work continues
Website: Spirit of the Desert

Safe and Secure Amid Shaking (Article)
Title: Safe and Secure Amid Shaking
Author: Neal Hitch
Abstract: Local news paper article looking at success of techniques implemented due to the NEH preservation grant.
Year: 2016
Primary URL: http://www.ivpressonline.com/news/local/safe-and-secure-amid-shaking/article_935ea2c0-506d-11e6-890c-cf3169326927.html
Primary URL Description: Local Newspaper website
Access Model: Subscription
Format: Newspaper
Publisher: Imperial Valley Press

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