Oxford University Press Historic House Museums: A Practical Handbook for Their Care, Preservation, and Management

Historic house museums, representing our cultural heritage can be found in nearly every city in the United States and Canada. These are the homes of the earliest settlers, statesmen, frontiersmen, great writers, artists, architects, and industrial magnates. Some museums encompass a group of buildings or an entire village. Despite ther popularity, it is not uncommon to find museums that are in poor repair, their collections neglected and their staffs grossly overworked. Many are run by well-meaning and hard-working volunteers who have little or no professional training. Often they survive on shoestring budgets and are able to present only limited and programs. Serving both as a hands-on guide and reference, this book examines these problems, offering practical advice and solutions which can be easily implemented. Its useful "lessons" include governance, where to find help, care of collections, conservation, security, and interpretation - all designed to increase the professionalism of the historic house museum. The book is intended primarily for managers and curators of historic house museums, those who have the responsibility of preserving the historic building, caring for collections, as well as extablishing exhibits and programs. Beginning professionals and volunteers will find it a worthwhile reference, and it will also be of interest to owners of historic properties - both private and institutional - state and county historical socieities, and "Bed and Breakfast" businesses many of which are operated in historic houses. The book may have adoption potential as a supplementary text in Maueum Studies and Museology courses.