Historic Cherry Hill
Curator Secures Prestigious IMLS Grant
Historic Cherry Hill's nationally significant textile collection will benefit from a $48,041 Conservation Project Support grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a federal agency. This matching grant will enable the museum to conduct a critical detailed condition survey on the site's textiles, accumulated by five generations of the Van Rensselaer-Rankin family. During the project, Cherry Hill Curator Erin Crissman will work with consultant Conservator Gwen Spicer to examine 4,132 textiles, assessing condition, freezing and vacuuming, relocating the collection to the Edward Frisbee Center for Collections & Research, and re-housing them in appropriate archival materials. The remainder of the textile collection, estimated to total well over 7,500 pieces, will be addressed in later phases.
"This exciting project brings Cherry Hill closer to its ultimate goal of providing outstanding collections care and making the entire collection accessible to researchers," noted Director Liselle LaFrance.
"IMLS is dedicated to creating and sustaining a nation of learners by helping museums and libraries better serve their communities," said IMLS Director Robert Martin. "The grants we make today will ensure the cultural, historical, natural, and scientific collections in America's museums are available for a lifetime of learning for generations to come."
Nationwide, the agency awarded 186 grants, with eight going to institutions in New York State. The Conservation Project Support program funds a wide range of projects to help museums safeguard their collections. Museums of every type, from art to zoo, are eligible for funding. These grants, which are awarded by a competitive peer review process, help museums undertake their most critical conservation activities.
IMLS is a federal grant making agency located in Washington, D.C. that fosters leadership, innovation and a lifetime of learning by supporting museums and libraries.
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