Report on collections care closure of Springfield History Museum (SHM)
SHM was closed for collection care in the first half of 2024 to address the backlog of collection care issues. Find here some statistics on the work completed, some discoveries made about the collection, as well as the process developed for the work.
Closure dates: Dec 31 2023-July 12 2024
Curator hours on project: 510 (rough cost $17,223)
Volunteer hours on project: 46 (rough cost $1,489)
Supply costs: $2,000
# of new rehousing box categories created: 33
# of new boxes made: 59
# of photographs taken: 748
# of Found in Collections items restored: 12
# of items deaccessioned: 62
-3 were deleted wrongly made records
-9 were transfers to institutional records
-50 were items with no relevance/damaged beyond repair, either transferred to other institutions or destroyed
# of items “completed” (photographed, documented, rehoused): 621
Findings: While we were able to close December 31, true work on the project wasn’t able to start until the second week of February. This is because a new workflow had to be created, dedicated workspaces carved out, and purchase of supplies and equipment. Once work was able to start, it took longer to process each artifact than previously estimated. Most artifacts that we came across had catalog issues: many were cataloged under incorrect numbers and had to be traced back to their original donation paperwork, while others were impossible to link to any known donation records.
Other Stats:
Current # of 3D artifact (objects and library catalogs) records: 3,181
Current # of “unknown donor” artifact records: 434
Conclusion: Although we fell short of our goal of 1000 artifacts being rehoused during the closure, good progress was made, and we established the processes needed for future collection care closures. The exhibit, “The Secret Life of Artifacts,” developed from the closure featuring information about collection care and artifacts and stories found in the collection, has been well-received by the public.
Update on work to date on the Illumination Project 24-25
ILLUMINATION is an ongoing story collection project of the Springfield History Museum that intentionally centers the history, stories and experiences of those in Springfield and rural east Lane County who have been historically marginalized and who are currently underrepresented in our collection. Each collection project is community-led with a team who has affinity and lived experience with each centered community. We use interviews, photographs and research to illuminate the intersectionality of our pluralistic Springfield identity.
The current chapter of ILLUMINATION centers the history and experience of the American Indian and Alaska Native experience in Springfield and rural east Lane County. The Museum has hosted two Native community gatherings over the last year with traditional Indigenous foods and facilitated project dialogue. One event was at the Lane Community College Longhouse and the most recent event was at the Chifin Native Youth Center in Springfield. During these events, museum staff and the story team were able to listen and learn from the Native community to inform critical elements of the project so far.
We are honored that we've been working with a Native story team including:
- Kunu Bearchum, Photographer (Northern Cheyenne, Ho-Chunk)
- Princess Bass-Mason, Videographer/Interviewer (Klamath and Western Shoshone)
- Megan England, Writer/Historian (Siletz)
- Dr. David Lewis, Exhibit Advisor (Grand Ronde)
Special thanks to the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz for support of our team with access to historical resources and content review for accuracy.
The project team has collected oral history video interviews and taken photographs of the following local Native community members:
- Derek Kimbol (Klamath Modoc)
- Sheena Puls (Assiniboine, Gros Ventre and Arapaho)
- Leilaini Sabzalian (Alutiiq)
- Esther and Shannin Stutzman (Coos, Komemma Kalapuya, Siletz)
- Leo White Horse (Sicangu Lakota)
The project will include a storefront window exhibit on both the Main St. and 6th St. windows of the Springfield History Museum. The exhibit will open on Friday, December 13th, 2024. The Museum has contracted Kunu Bearchum of Morning Star Creative (also the project photographer!) to produce an opening celebration that will feature local Native guest artists and culture holders during the 2nd Friday Art Walk.
Full oral history videos, photographs, historical content and project team bios will be available online at wheremindsgrow.org/ILLUMINATION (along with all previous ILLUMINATION collections).
This project is made possible in part by a grant from the Oregon Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom. This project is also made possible with support from Springfield Utility Board, Springfield Arts Commission, The University of Oregon Many Nations Longhouse and Home Flight Scholars Program, City of Springfield, Springfield Public Library Foundation and the Friends of the Springfield Public Library and History Museum.
Fright at the Museum Report
The third annual Fright at the Museum fundraiser took place the two weekends before Halloween: Th, F, SAT Oct 17,18,19 and 24,25,26. The museum was closed to the public during the two weeks from Oct 14-Oct 26. Starting after close on Oct 12, museum staff and volunteers began to transform the Museum into “Screamfield National Forest: complete with Big Foot, and creepy forest creatures. Museum, library and other city staff, along with volunteers, made the Fright come to life on open nights. The Friends of the Springfield Public Library and History Museum staffed the ticketing and treats table. The event opened each evening with “Fright-lite,” the less scary version from 4-6 and then the scary version from 6:30-8:30.
This is the largest fundraiser dedicated to the Museum and raised $3460 and scared 776 people. The Fright at the Museum was sponsored by Raven Dental, Jerry’s Home Improvement Center, Best Pots, And Ryan Thomas Construction.
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