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May 30-31, 2013                                                       Lexington, South Carolina

Forensic Anthropology/Archaeology and Outdoor Recovery of Human Remains  (meeting of SC IAI)
For Information see the SC IAI website. The workshop will include both classroom lecture and exercises in outdoor search and recovery, as well as excavation and recovery.

 

October 9-11, 2013                                                       Thomasville, Georgia

2013 Georgia Municipal Cemetery Association Conference.
For Information see the GMCA website. Chicora will be presenting a program on the appropriate repair of cemetery monuments.

 

November 13-15, 2013                                               Honolulu, Hawaii

Cemetery Preservation: Making Good Choices (3 day workshop -- includes 1 day on Landscape Maintenance).
For Information Contact:  National Preservation Institute at 703-765-0100 or email info@npi.org. You may also visit their website at http://www.npi.org/sem-cemet.html for more information. View Workshop Agenda


Workshop Descriptions -- All Museum, Library, and Archives workshops MUST be arranged through Chicora.
 

Cemetery Preservation: Making Good Choices

Like any preservation or conservation project, work in cemeteries requires that you make choices. This workshop is designed for anyone intending to begin a cemetery preservation or "restoration" project and will help ensure that these choices are sound and don't harm what you are seeking to protect. Discussions focus on current issues in cemetery preservation, such as recording and documenting cemeteries and graveyards, undertaking preservation efforts, and exploring conservation techniques and issues.

Resources Provided: Handout CD that provides essential readings on all of the topics covered in the workshop. PowerPoint presentations are also provided as a handout.

Length: two or three days (13 or 19.5 contact hours)

Care and Maintenance of the Cemetery Landscape

This workshop focus on how to protect and better care for cemetery landscapes, preserve integrity of design, and safeguard gravestones and monuments while pursuing a practical outlook on maintenance and budget concerns. It will explore approaches for caring for softscapes, or plantings, and hardscapes, including roads, pathways, and benches. It will discuss effective pruning and cutting techniques, and when chemicals and heavy equipment can be safely and productively used. It reviews the basics of short- and long-term preservation planning.

Resources Provided: Handout CD that provides essential readings on all of the topics covered in the workshop. PowerPoint presentations are also provided as a handout.

Length: one day (6.0 contact hours)


To Fume or Not to Fume: Alternative Fumigation Techniques for Museums, Libraries, and Archives

This is a general introduction to alternative approaches to fumigation, including the use of pheromone traps, monitoring collections for pests, use of anoxic atmospheres, and fumigation with nitrogen. There is also a brief discussion of traditional fumigation techniques and the problems they can cause. Participants will benefit from a general background in pest control (a good source for this background is the companion course, "Integrated Pest Management: Beating the Critter Jitters").  The program is intended for anyone responsible for inspecting incoming collections for evidence of pest infestations.

Resources Provided: Samples of barrier film; list of suppliers for film, heat sealers, oxygen scavengers; reference articles on different techniques; sample protocols for alternative fumigation

Length: half-day (3.0 contact hours)


Attack of the Giant Mold Spore: Simple, Safe Techniques to Recover from a Mold Outbreak

This is a general introduction to the biology of mold, the environmental conditions that encourage it, and how institutions can best protect themselves. Included in the workshop are general instructions for mold clean-up, including appropriate safety precautions, the equipment your institution will need to have on hand, and the training that you'll need. The workshop is designed for those responsible for collections, physical plant or housekeeping staffs, and commercial firms that are interested in working with museums, libraries, and archives in mold clean-up.

Resources Provided: Handouts on molds and treatment approaches; reading list

Length: half-day (3.0 contact hours)

Surviving the Big One: Hurricane Disaster Planning

This program explains the newest technologies to help make your institution more hurricane proof. It will also guide you through step-by-step preparations for the next hurricane and will explore your recovery options should the worst happen. This is not your common, fill-in-the-blank workshop, but is designed to give you the knowledge and confidence necessary to make a real difference in protecting your institution, your collections, and your staff.

Resources Provided: Additional resources, product literature, and recovery information

Length: full day (6.5 contact hours)


Housekeeping for Museums: Things that Heloise Didn't Tell You

This workshop is designed for anyone responsible for either the housekeeping in a museum, overseeing collection care, or in charge of a housekeeping staff. It explains how even small institutions can improve their housekeeping, as well as care for both exhibits and collections. It guides attendees through the development of housekeeping strategies and methods. It also provides an excellent orientation to the correct care and cleaning of common collection materials.

Resources Provided: There is a detailed collection of handouts, as well as a bag of essential cleaning supplies, ready for use. Contents include appropriate detergents, paste wax, brush, gloves, fiberglass screen, cleaning cloths, and more. Contents can be varied to suit circumstances, with the cost ranging from about $10 to $23 per bag.

Length: full day (6.5 contact hours)

Building and Renovation with Preservation in Mind: Preventing Problems by Planning to Preserve and Protect Your Collection

This workshop is designed as a general introduction for those responsible for planning new facilities or working on building committees. It provides an overview of architectural practices and good building design, site considerations, the building envelope, building utilities, furnishings, security, fire protection, environmental controls and their design, roofing, landscaping, and other critical issues. You learn what to look for and how to deal with architects and design firms.

Follow-up Courses Recommended: Critter Jitters (for pest control), Environmental Monitoring and Control (for HVAC issues)

Resources Provided: Handouts on appropriate building approaches; reading list

Length: full-day (6.5 contact hours)


Disaster Planning and Recovery: Thinking About the Unthinkable

This workshop was designed as a general introduction to the topic of developing and implementing disaster plans for museums, libraries, archives, and historical organizations. It is appropriate for facility staff, volunteers, and also physical plant staff. You will explore the issues of successful disaster planning and develop the skills you need to both develop a workable plan and put it into action.

Resources Provided: Handout that covers essential topics and readings in disaster planning and recovery.

Length: full-day (6.5 contact hours)


Preserving Your Family Treasure
s

This public program is designed for anyone interested in better caring for their antiques, collectibles, or family heirlooms. It is particularly designed for public outreach by libraries, museums, and historic sites. The workshop explores the care of books, furniture, silver and other metals, photographs, glass and ceramics, textiles, and artwork. Topics include safe handling, appropriate cleaning techniques, and secure storage.

Resources Provided: Bag of materials specifically put together to help the lay person get started better caring for their heirlooms. Contents include appropriate detergents, paste wax, brush, gloves, fiberglass screen, cleaning cloths, and more. Contents can be varied to suit host institution, with the cost ranging from about $5 to $7 per bag. The host institution can also offer copies of our publication Preserving Your Family Treasures to those attending (cost per volume is $10.00, but we offer a 20% discount on those ordered for resale).

Length: full-day (6.5 contact hours)


Simple Archival Techniques for Museums and Libraries

This is a basic, introductory workshop in preservation for small museums, libraries with archival or local history collections, or small archives. It is designed for anyone responsible for working with, or caring for, small to medium sized archival collections, particularly if new to the field of archival care. Materials covered include photographs and slides, oversized materials, newsprint, pamphlets, scrapbooks, and ephemera, as well as how to handle new collections. Also covered as such simple preservation techniques as surface or "dry" cleaning, paper repair, and encapsulation.

Resources Provided: three page handout of course outline and information sources

Length: full-day or half-day (6.5 or 3.0 contact hours)


Protecting Collections in a Hostile Environment: Monitoring and Control of the Museum, Library, or Archive Environment

This workshop provides an introduction to HVAC for curators, registrars, librarians, and archivists. It explains the newest techniques for evaluating the suitability of your institution's environment using isoperms, as well as the mechanics of operating an HVAC system efficiently and effectively. The program focuses on dehumidification strategies and appropriate filtration. Also covered are basic monitoring techniques and equipment.

Resources Provided: Bound handout that provides essential readings in environmental topics

Length: full day (6.5 contact hours)


Critter Jitters: Integrated Pest Management for Museums, Libraries, and Archives

This workshop is designed as an introduction to pest control strategies appropriate for museums, libraries, archives, and historic organizations. It includes a hands-on review of pests most likely to be found in your institution, as well as information on how to develop an integrated pest management (IPM) program. Realizing that not every institution is ready to take that step, the workshop also helps you work better with your current commercial pest control firm, as well as how to develop a scope of work that will get you better, and safer, pest control services.

Resources Provided: Binder of essential readings and references for various pests, pest control practices, pesticides, and contracting

Length: full day (6.5 contact hours)


Learn Not to Burn: Fire Safety for Museums, Libraries, and Archives

This workshop helps you understand the provisions of the new NFPA 909, Standard for the Protection of Cultural Resources Including Museums, Libraries, Places of Worship, and Historic Properties and how they will affect your institution. Discussions focus on issues of fire detection and suppression, dealing with evacuations, and how your staff should respond to fire. The workshop can include hands-on training on the appropriate use of various portable fire extinguishers, including water, dry chemical, and carbon dioxide models.

Resources Provided: Supplemental material on fire safety, including articles and pamphlets appropriate for staff mini-training sessions.

Length: full-day (6.5 contact hours)

 


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