Museum Collections Preservation

In the fall of 2024, I embarked on a significant collaborative project at Cannonsburgh Village in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Working alongside four fellow students, I participated in a comprehensive collections and preservation assessment of this living history museum. Established in 1976 to commemorate the U.S. Bicentennial, Cannonsburgh Village meticulously recreates nineteenth- and early twentieth-century rural life through its restored and replicated historical structures. The museum also houses an extensive collection of artifacts, encompassing tools, textiles, and photographs, which serve as invaluable windows into local craftsmanship and community traditions.

My specific role focused on the Haynes Museum's collections, which span military, education, small industrial tools, Native American, and items from the post-Revolutionary period. This involved a detailed assessment of each item's condition, its historical and cultural significance, and its specific preservation needs. Crucially, I also evaluated the role these collections play in Cannonsburgh Village's future, particularly in light of the upcoming 2026 U.S. Semiquincentennial. The overarching goal of our exhaustive assessment was to enhance the museum's educational and cultural mission, ensuring it continues to serve as a vital link between the community and its rich heritage.

Furthermore, I contributed to the project's written documentation. I co-authored the report's introduction and penned the detailed evaluations of the Haynes Museum's military, education, small industrial, Native American, and post-Revolutionary collections, which were incorporated into the comprehensive Collections Assessment Policy (documented in the "Research and Writings" section).

This multifaceted experience allowed me to develop and refine a range of critical professional skills:

- Collections Appraisal: The meticulous examination of the Haynes Museum's artifacts honed my ability to accurately assess the condition, significance, and preservation needs of diverse historical collections.
- Report Writing: Co-authoring the introduction and writing the detailed evaluations demanded clear, concise, and analytical writing skills, enabling me to effectively communicate complex information.
Project Management: Coordinating with my colleagues, managing deadlines, and ensuring the timely completion of my assigned tasks provided invaluable project management experience.
- Strategic Planning: Evaluating the role of the collections in Cannonsburgh Village's future, especially in relation to the Semiquincentennial, required strategic thinking and an understanding of long-term museum goals.
- Community Outreach: I provided my museum preservation services to a the Cannonsburgh Village staff who needed help with assessing the care of the Haynes Museums and it's collection to meet twenty-first century standards; and the Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation, who do not otherwise have access to those services.