Disaster recovery volunteers needed in Michigan (UP)!
Circulating Message:
As you may have heard, The Houghton County Historical Society (HCHS) had devastating damage to their collection and archives as a result of catastrophic rain and flooding in June. Early efforts have temporarily secured the collection, but there is a need to document and further stabilize it while the museum determines long-term options and resources.
The Michigan Museums Association (MMA) is working with the Keweenaw National Historical Park, the Michigan Archives Association, and other organizations to recruit teams of trained museum and archives professionals who will provide onsite help a week at a time this summer and early fall. These teams will document the artifact and archival collections and establish stable temporary storage conditions.
In particular, we are looking for volunteers who have a strong background in any of the following:
collections management
registration
archives
conservation
the use of Past Perfect
At this point, the plan is to have team arriving on Sunday, working a regular work-week Mon-Fri, and then leaving on Saturday. Housing can likely be provided, and a stipend to cover some travel expenses may also be available.
Final details for the project are still being solidified, but will depend somewhat on the availability of trained volunteers. If you are qualified, interested, and able to spend a week in the Keweenaw Peninsula in August or September, please complete this survey by July 23.
Please forward this email to anyone else that may be interested in helping. You can also direct people to the MMA website for information.
If you'd like to help but can't travel to the U.P., the Historical Society of Michigan is conducting a GoFundMe campaign to help HCHS and other history organizations impacted by the flooding. You can donate here.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions, though via email is best since I'll be out of the office for the next two weeks.
Lisa Craig Brisson
Executive Director, Michigan Museums Association
lcbrisson@michiganmuseums.org
Phone: 313-334-7643
