Finding an interesting artifact to add to your collection is always a thrill, but what if it came from a dusty attic, should you place it with the other items in your collection? Should there be a process of cleaning items before they are integrated into the museum? And is our museum an artifact itself? Those are questions that Preservation Consultant Michael Gioulis, and Northern States Conservation Center Director, Helen Alten, addressed during their visit to The Greenbrier Historical Society and North House Museum on Sept. 16 and 17. Gioulis and Alten came to GHS through a Conservation Assessment Program grant, which allows for a basic conservation assessment of a museum’s collections and facilities. The grant, sponsored by Heritage Preservation: A National Institute for Conservation, encouraged GHS to evaluate the specific needs associated with operating and maintaining a historic home.
During their visit, the two specialists toured, engaged with, and evaluated the many unique exhibits and archival documents held in the North House Museum and Archives. Additionally, they each worked closely Director Beth McMullen and Museum Coordinator Toni Ogden to facilitate a plan of action for preventative conservation and overall collections management. Gioulis’ and Alten’s visit will assuredly help the museum work toward its goal of collecting, preserving, and interpreting the history of the Greenbrier Valley.
To learn more about the variety of holdings found at the North House Museum, please contact the Greenbrier Historical Society at 304-645-3398 or info@greenbrierhistorical.org. The Greenbrier Historical Society and North House Museum is located at 301 West Washington Street in Lewisburg and is open, free to the public, every Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.