History Skills Workshops

Because I geek history, I just registered for EIGHT workshops hosted by the Historical Society of Michigan. They are:

• Basic Care, Storage, and Display of Historic Textiles 
• Building a Meaningful Collection
• Fading Photos: How to Identify, Scan, Restore & Archive Historic Photographs
• Fabricating Professional Exhibits for Under $500
• Copyright Issues for Historic Collections
• Understanding Audiences and Visitors
• Advanced Archives
• Researching and Documenting Historic Textiles

Museum: Military Exhibit

Loop-Harrison Mansion

For some time now, the accessions committee for the Sanilac County Historical Society has been talking about reworking the military room at the museum. We've talked about getting folks from the local VFW chapter to help us identify many of the unknown artifacts so that we can create some order amidst the chaos. Like most organizations, arranging the "us" part was challenging -- in other words, getting members to step up to the plate in order to work on the project. Considering my love of military history, I was eager...even giddy; however, with the 30Y.30L project in full swing, three kidney stones still doing the cha-cha in my side, not to mention the three graduate classes I was carrying last semester, I was stretched pretty thin and unable to pick up any more projects. Of course, after the holidays and winter term was underway, I knew that I would be able to devote time and energy to a new project.

I am pleased to say that the day has finally come! Early this afternoon, I'll be picking up a pizza in town and cruising over to the beautiful mansion to meet two of my favorite museum comrades and a local veteran. I'm downright giddy. Photos to come...

Fact: Did you know that the Society's archives collection has original letters from Sanilac County soldiers writing home to their families during the Civil War? I was pretty much in awe when Clarkson and Spellmeyer were working on their digitization and transcription project last summer.

30Y.30L Update:
Thank you notes are almost done! I've managed to kill a brand new pen. (Lots of writing!) I also hope to have two more posts written and published by the end of this week.

Corporate Archive

Earlier this morning, I woke from a dream in which I was working for a corporate archive. I was accessioning and cataloging an antique set of red, white, and blue stationery that was from the early 1940s. Looking up from my work, I observed Eric Northman (Alexander Skarsgård) walking into my work area...just as beautiful as always. 

Note: Eric Northman is a character in the Southern Vampire Mysteries by author Charlaine Harris. He also appears in HBO's television series True Blood.

Agenda and Ramblings

Last night, I had my nose stuffed in my collection development book. Shouldn't be the least bit surprising. (I am thoroughly enjoying my collection development class.)

On today's agenda:

• Cruise to northern Oakland County and visit Oxford Public Library. 
• Hopefully finish up, or come close to finishing, the book review evaluation assignment for my collection development class.
• Review policies and notes from the accessions committee. Submit comments.
• Have Thai with my parents. 
• Attend Literature to Film Club at Oakland University with my best friend. 

For tonight's Lit to Film Club meeting, we are covering The Road by Cormac McCarthy. I pretty much devoured the book as it slightly resembled one of my favorite books, Blindness by Jose Saramago. 

Note of geekiness: When I got home from Bad Axe yesterday, I found a package in my mudroom. Gaylord shipped my conservator gloves! Hooray.