Slifer House
Slifer House Museum Receives Reference Materials
March 27, 2008
Gary Parks, Director of Slifer House Museum, was recently alerted that the museum is the recipient of Connecting To Collections: A Call to Action, an extensive collection of books and other reference materials which will inform museum workers on how to best care for the collection at the Slifer House. The reference materials provide a guide for maintenance, preservation, and conservation of museum objects. They were provided by The Institute of Museum and Library Services, Washington, D.C. in partnership with the American Association for State and Local History.
Although there are many different components to running a successful museum, one of the major tasks is the proper care of a collection in order to keep the items in the best condition for as long as possible.
The collection of media materials has been curated by a team of experts in the preservation/conservation area, and is a comprehensive guide that includes books, DVD’s, charts, online resources, and other materials that will prove invaluable as a resource. Some books in the collection that have practical applications are: The National Trust’s Manual of Housekeeping; The care of collections in historic houses open to the public; Photographs: Archival Care and Management; The Care of Prints & Drawings; and A Legal Primer on Managing Museum Collections. Parks is certain that the items will provide helpful suggestions on how to care for the Slifer House collection so that future generations will enjoy it, and also how to promote community awareness and interest in preserving its many historic items.
The museum actively collects artifacts which relate to the Colonel Eli and Mrs. Catherine Frick Slifer family, who built the house circa 1860. In a broader context, the museum is furnished with decorative arts which reflect the tastes of 19th century individuals residing in central Pennsylvania. The museum houses more than 30,000 three-dimensional objects. With the generosity of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, objects received before 2007 have been accessioned and catalogued. Museum officials are currently working on developing a centralized storage area to house objects when not on display.
The museum is currently open for touring Tuesdays through Fridays from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. or by appointment. On Saturday, April 19, the museum reopens for weekend touring. For further information, please call (570) 524-2245.
To learn more about the Slifer House, contact us by e-mail or call (570) 524-2245.
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