Collections
At the Wayne County Historical Museum I was able to wear many hats over the year(both as an intern and an employee) working with the museum's vast collections. Through Indiana University Indianapolis have been able to expand my knowledge of collections work at the Masonic Library and Museum of Indiana.
Mummy and Mask Conservation
The 3500-year-old mummy and a Greek-Roman funerary mask were exhibited for many years. In the same case, the mask acted as a barrier for the public as the mummy's head had been unwrapped by Egyptian authorities in 1929 before traveling to the museum. The mummy and mask had an arduous journey, getting covered in soot and not being secured by today's best museum practices. The Late Dr. Bonnie Sampsell funded a conservator from the Art Institute of Chicago to come to Richmond and give both the mummy and mask much-needed care. First, we needed to remove the mask from the mummy and find another way to exhibit the mummy respectfully. I created a mount with epifoam and relic wrap(also covering the skull with relic wrap). When the conservator arrived, I assisted her in re-wrapping the mummy head for a more natural feel. I was able to observe the techniques that the conservator used on the mummy and mask.
Box Making
I took a boxmaking Seminar at the Indiana State Police Museum in 2019, discovering I had a knack for making boxes. Since that seminar, I have created boxes(mount included) for artifacts such as the mummy cat, which desperately needed a custom box. I have also taught many of the Wayne County Historical Museum interns how to make boxes using the methods I learned at my first museum seminar. Making archival boxes taught me the importance of developing skills and that you are never old or too talented to learn something new.
Wayne County Historical Museum
I started my internship at the Wayne County Historical Museum in Spring 2019. This internship showed me that my passion for museums was collections work. I loved to go into my internship and work with collections. I learned about handling and caring for objects, registration, ethics, and using archival software. I learned how to attach numbers to artifacts using Jade and Archival Modpodge, which is easily removable from an object. I also learned the ins and outs of using a card catalog since many of the artifacts in the Wayne County Historical Museum collections have not been entered into PastPerfect. I learned how to use Mylar sleeves for paper objects to help preserve delicate paper. My internship at the Wayne County Historical Museum became a job just as I graduated from my Masters of Education program at Earlham College. Since then, I have honed my skills and become an expert box-maker, a proficient maker of mylar sleeves and mounts for storing artifacts, and so many other skills that I will be grateful for for the rest of my life.
While at Indiana University Indianapolis, I focused on collections with a special interest in preservation and conservation. I became well-versed in identifying and mitigating agents of deterioration, ensuring that collections remain pristine. I was thrilled to get the chance to try my hand at soot removal as well as refining my registration and box-making skills. In Preventive Conservation, the lab took us to Eagle Creek, where we assisted the staff by cleaning taxidermy birds. I deeply understand collections care and management and how to implement preventive conservation measures to avert potential damage. Collections are essential for me because a proactive approach not only preserves the tangible aspects of our heritage but also ensures that future generations can continue to appreciate the stories and significance behind these treasured items.
Indiana University Indianapolis Museum Studies
Masonic Library and Museum of Indiana
At the Masonic Library and Museum of Indiana, my role encompasses various tasks integral to the preservation and documentation of our extensive collections. One of my main tasks was accessioning artifacts using Past Perfect. I used a Mylar encapsulation technique on a set of Masonic membership cards to create a protective barrier that prevents damage from handling and environmental factors. In addition, I convinced my mentors at the Masonic Library and Museum of Indiana to utilize archival paper for numbering. This specially designed, acid-free paper ensures that the numbers assigned to items do not degrade or damage the artifacts over time. Many artifacts remain without physical numbers or are numbered with non-archival paper. These artifacts were accessioned before I implemented archival paper into practice.
Community Collaboration and Curation
During my last semester of the Museum Studies Program, I chose to take part in the most fulfilling and meaningful experience during my time at the Museum Studies Graduate Program at IUI. First, we learned essential background information on Native American Boarding Schools and the forced assimilation of Native People in North America. Our class concluded with a 5-day trip to Ziibiwing in Mount Pleasant, MI. I was honored to help clean artifacts and rehouse paintings with expert box maker Rebekah Ryan! Ziibiwing fed us and gifted us so much! A few students(including me) could see Kansas live in concert!