Collections Resource Center

Creating a Collections Resource Center

The 1915 California Building and Quadrangle provides a spectacular setting in which to view the Museum of Man’s collections and exhibitions. However, the buildings do not meet contemporary museum standards. The Museum houses its collections in a 90-year-old space whose current use was not contemplated at the time of its construction. Serious and compelling threats exist to the long-term safety of the collections.

A 2001 Conservation Assessment Survey provided to the Museum by the Western Region Field Service Office (funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and updated in 2006) noted many deficiencies. In 2006, Museum staff completed a self-study evaluation of the collections as part of a Museum Assessment Program (MAP II) and determined that immediate and ongoing threats to the Museum’s collections include humidity, temperature fluctuations, natural and ultraviolet light, overcrowding, and damage from handling by people. Inadequate storage also creates potential threats to the collections from earthquake, fire, flood, and pest infestation.

Both surveys confirmed that, without immediate action, the Museum’s precious and irreplaceable collections, held in trust for posterity, are at risk.

The creation of a Collections Resource Center is the Museum’s comprehensive, multi-year, multi-million-dollar effort to bring the Museum’s collection space up to current museum standards, creating an environment where 100,000 documented objects and 50,000 images can be safeguarded and made accessible to scholars, researchers, students, artists, and members of communities represented in the collections, now and for years to come.

The Collections Project will:

• Renovate the collections areas of the historic California Quadrangle, preserving the building’s unique historical elements while ensuring its long-term optimal use.
• Preserve the Museum’s collections by installing carefully planned, high-density compact storage units to replace current sub-standard storage.
• Improve accessibility for the public and for persons with disabilities. Included in this element is insuring the safe transport of collections by installing an elevator to connect collections storage areas to other levels of the building.
• Maximize space utilization to better meet staff, collections, and curatorial needs.
• Add space to engage members of the Museum’s audience to help in the preservation, interpretation, and exhibition of objects from the collections.

To volunteer your time to this effort, please contact Monika Wert at mwert@museumofman.org.