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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.2, Attch 1 Proposal from City of Dublin to Michael P. Friend, Lt Col., Camp Parks PROPOSAL FOR DISPLAY AND CARE OF HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS BACKGROUND The Dublin Heritage Park and Museums is located at 6600 Donlon Way and consists of two distinct properties; the existing Dublin Heritage Center and the Dublin Historic Park. The existing Dublin Heritage Center was acquired by the City of Dublin in 1993. It consists of the following historical amenities: Old St. Raymond's Church, constructed in 1859; Murray Schoolhouse, constructed in 1956; and the Dublin Pioneer Cemetery. The Dublin Historic Park, currently under construction, was a former shopping center in the heart of the City's Historic District. The City acquired the shopping center in 2007. The shopping center was demolished in order to make room for the Historic Park. A main feature of the Park is the relocated Kolb Ranch buildings moved to the site from across I-580. The Kolb Family was one of Dublin's founding families. Upon completion of the Historic Park construction, the two contiguous sites will be re-named the Dublin Heritage Park and Museums. PROPOSAL FOR CAMP PARKS COLLECTION The City of Dublin would provide the Camp Parks collection with the same care and protection accorded other such historically valuable materials. The Camp Parks collection would be stored in the expansion space of the Dublin Public Library. The space is locked and would be controlled by museum staff. The temperature and light in the space is controlled. There is office and work space near the storage that would be used by staff and qualified volunteers to catalogue the Camp Parks collection. Prior to the transfer of the collection, the City of Dublin would establish a "Scope of Collections." A Scope of Collections specifies the timeframe and types of artifacts that would be entered into the collection. Generally, the scope would require that items pertain to Camp Parks, Shoemaker Hospital and Camp Shoemaker during their years of operation in Dublin. Following the transfer, staff would begin the process of cataloguing the Camp Parks collection. Detailed condition reports would be made for each object. Then they would be cleaned and marked with a permanent accession number. The accession number would be added to a computerized museum collection data base. The City museum uses "Past Perfect" Collection Management Software. This program is used by over 7,500 museums around the world. Past Perfect provides the tools to automate accessions, exhibits, condition reports, repatriation, and incoming and outgoing loans. Past Perfect conforms to the latest standards for cataloging archive, library, historic object, art object, natural history, archaeology, and photograph collections. Page 1 of 3 Attachment I Once the Camp Parks collection is accessioned and stored, access to the collection would be controlled by museum staff. Researchers would be able to access records and photographs by appointment at the Dublin Public Library. Short Term Exhibit Option The City of Dublin administers a museum of local history at the Murray Schoolhouse. The Museum is staffed by a full-time Director supplemented by part-time staff and a cadre of dedicated, trained volunteer docents. The Museum is open as follows: Tuesday 6:00—9:00 p.m. Wednesday 1:00-4:00 p.m. Thursday 1:00—4:00 p.m. Friday 1:00—4:00 p.m. Saturday 1:00—4:00 p.m. Sunday 1:00—4:00 p.m. Additionally the Museum is open by appointment for private and group tours. The Murray Schoolhouse has a security system which is activated when the building is closed. When open to the public, visitors are accompanied by docents through the museum public areas. There has never been a break-in, burglary, theft or vandalism within the museum under the City's management. There is a permanent exhibit in the main room of the Murray Schoolhouse. Adjacent to this is "The Little Classroom." The Little Classroom would be the space available for the Camp Parks artifacts to be exhibited. The Little Classroom space features: • Track lighting with low level illumination • Picture hanging molding with clips • Locking cases that are deep enough for three dimensional objects • Temperature control • Low relative humidity It would be possible to curate annual exhibits on Camp Parks in The Little Classroom. The exhibit would involve primary research, developing themes, identifying objects to display and writing interpretive materials. This work could be conducted in the Library Expansion Space by City staff and qualified volunteers. After the exhibit, the collection would return to storage, which is good for the preservation of the objects. While on display, objects are exposed to light and air. Museums generally keep 80% of collections in storage. Good storage aids in the preservation of the objects by allowing the objects to rest in an environment away from the light, air, dust and chemicals. The Library Expansion Space provides a controlled environment for the collection. This short term exhibit option will allow the public to view the Camp Parks Collection on a regular basis. Page2of3 This arrangement provides a good solution for an indefinite period while permanent long term options are developed. Long Term Exhibit Option The Army and its preferred development partner are working on a land use proposal to convert a portion of Camp Parks to a combination of residential, commercial, and public uses. The preferred land plan of the City that resulted from a community-wide visioning process undertaken in 2005 identified a large central park. Long term, the City could consider an option to develop a small military museum as part of this park where the Camp Parks collection could be permanently on display. Attachments The following Attachments will be available at the meeting: Ia. — lb. Location Maps 2a. —2e. Photos of the Dublin Heritage Center, Museum and Storage 3. Proof of City Incorporation 4. Collections Management Policy and Procedures—Dublin Heritage Center 5. Resume of Museum Director—Elizabeth Isles Page 3 of 3