[Return to Query]
CHILLER THRILLER & BOILER SPOILER (Article)
Title: CHILLER THRILLER & BOILER SPOILER
Author: Center of the West PR Staff
Abstract: It seems like a lifetime ago, but it was only January 2020
when the Buffalo Bill Center of the West celebrated receiving
a $500,000 Infrastructure and Capacity Building
Challenge Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities
(NEH). This was great news! With this grant, we
would be able to complete a five-year series of high-priority
projects to make us more energy efficient, ensure an ideal environment
to protect and preserve priceless collections, and
vastly improve both security and access throughout the Center.
But (there’s always a “but”, isn’t there?) … it’s called a
challenge grant for a reason. The challenge requires a threeto-
one match. That means that, by the end of July 2023, we
need to raise $1.5 million. The good news (there’s always
“good news” too, isn’t there?) … the generosity of donors
exceeded what we needed to raise by the end of July 2020,
making more than $158,000 in NEH funds available to help
pay for the security and access upgrades that have now been
completed, and for the upcoming installation of a new chiller
and cooling tower.
“We’re off to a very good start with this multi-year project,”
Mike Brown, Director of Operations and project director,
says. “It hasn’t been without a few glitches and frustrations,
but our maintenance and IT crew has managed very
well, working with our vendors and contractors.”
Next on the list and planned for 2021 are installing a new
chiller and cooling tower, removing an aging steam boiler,
and retrofitting air handlers and humidifiers.
“Maintaining a consistent temperature and humidity level
in our entire building is critical for the objects in our collection,
as well as for the comfort of visitors and staff,” Phil Anthony,
Operating Engineer, says. “Our current equipment is
beyond its expected life and is getting more and more difficult
to maintain. New equipment will be much more energy-efficient
as well.”
The Environmental Controls and Security Upgrades to
Protect the Collection project has been made
Year: 2021
Primary URL: http://www.centerofthewest.org
Access Model: Subscription Based for Museum Members and Supporters
Format: Magazine
Periodical Title: Points West
Publisher: Center of the West
Speak Your Piece with the BBCW (Radio/Audio Broadcast or Recording)
Title: Speak Your Piece with the BBCW
Director: Darian Dudrick
Abstract: This is a radio interview with KODI 96.7 in Cody, WY with host Darian Dudrick. Center of the West staff Carolyn Williams, Phil Anthony, and Rich Herman described the infrastructure of the Center of the West and the projects being upgraded with the help of the NEH Challenge Grant.
Date: 6/17/2021
Primary URL: https://soundcloud.com/user-939526834/2021-06-17-syp-bbcw?in=user-939526834/sets/speak-your-piece-with-darian#
Access Model: Open Access
Format: Digital File
Format: Web
Permalink: https://apps.neh.gov/publicquery/products.aspx?gn=CHA-268738-20