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Heritage Updates
May 2, 2008
 May 2, 2008 — 4Culture has initiated a new funding program that helps community-based museums, historical societies, and ethnic heritage groups in King County preserve their heritage collections. Many organizations have amassed thousands of irreplaceable documents, photographs, archives, and artifacts that tell the history of their communities. However, few funding resources are available for projects that describe, catalog, store, and secure these collections for use by future generations.
Financed in part by revenue generated by King County document filing fees, the Heritage Collections Care program has three goals:
- Promoting professional standards and practices in collections care countywide
- Fostering strategic planning as a foundation for effective collections stewardship
- Making collections care a priority and an integral part of institutional missions
The annual competitive program funds King County-based, nonprofit historical organizations such as museums, archives, and public agencies that collect, preserve, and hold in public trust historic artifacts, photographs, documents, ephemera, and other materials. The program supports cataloging and access projects, training for staff and volunteers, needs assessment surveys, collections management software, upgrades to security and storage conditions, and hiring of professional assistance for development of plans and policies.
Free Program Workshops
Free workshops on Heritage Collections Care are scheduled for these dates and times:
- May 21, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Tukwila Community Center, 12424 42nd Ave. S. - Join Heritage 4Culture Program Lead Eric Taylor and Dana Senge, Objects Conservator at DKS Conservation Services, for a free three-hour workshop to help applicants understand conservation and preservation language as well as how to organize and prioritize collections care plans.
- May 6, 13, 20, 27, June 3, 10, 17, 24, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., 4Culture, 101 Prefontaine Pl. S. - Program staff will be on hand for weekly drop-in sessions to answer questions regarding the Heritage Collections Care program. 4Culture offices are in the Tashiro Building, south of the King County Courthouse at the corner of Third Avenue and Yesler Street.
Downloadable application materials and more information on the Heritage Collections Care program are available at the Heritage 4Culture web page.
related links
Collections Care
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April 23, 2008
 April 23, 2008 — Are you ready for a disaster? Have you thought about how you'd protect your valuable document and artifact collections if the worst happens? Museums, historical societies, and heritage professionals are taking time this month to respond to "MayDay," an annual event created in 2005 by the Society of American Archivists to promote emergency planning. On MayDay, which takes place May 1, individuals and groups all over the country and in King County will do at least one thing to prepare for a natural or man-made disaster.
A disaster can happen anywhere at any time. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina showed how a historic city-New Orleans-could be nearly wiped out by mother nature. Flooding caused the most damage, and in King County, flooding is one of the biggest threats because of the region's wet climate and extensive river systems. Over the past 40 years, most of Washington State's 20 presidential disaster declarations were due to flooding, according to the King County Office of Emergency Management. Earthquakes and severe storms also threaten the region. The Heritage Health Index, released soon after Katrina, reported that few institutions are prepared for a cataclysm
On MayDay, institutions are asked to set aside time to plan for an emergency. The Heritage Emergency National Task Force, a project of Washington, D.C.-based Heritage Preservation and the Federal Emergency Management Agency suggests several activities:
- Update your disaster plan, if you have one.
- If you don't have a plan, get started writing one!
- Identify the three biggest risks to your collection or building, such as leaking water pipes, heavy snowfall, or a power failure.
- Conduct a building evacuation drill.
- Update your staff contact information and create a wallet-size version of your emergency contact roster.
- Identify objects that are most important to your mission, irreplaceable, or most fragile, making evacuation simpler when disaster hits.
More activity suggestions are at the MayDay website. In addition, Heritage 4Culture's new Heritage Collections Care program welcomes applications for funding to create and implement emergency preparedness plans.
Should disaster strike, and your insurance doesn't cover damage to your collections, you may qualify for government assistance. If your institution is in a region covered by a presidential disaster declaration, you may qualify for aid via FEMA and the Small Business Administration. In rare cases, 4Culture may be able to help with small grants for emergency repairs to a facility.
For more information on protecting your collections from the unexpected, contact Eric Taylor, Heritage 4Culture, 206-296-8688.
related links
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Heritage Emergency National Task Force
Heritage Health Index
Heritage Preservation
King County Office of Emergency Management
MayDay
Society of American Archivists
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February 27, 2008
 February 27, 2008 — In 2009, Seattle and King County will celebrate the centennial of one of the most important events in local history: the opening of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition. In 2008, Heritage 4Culture will focus funding opportunities on this anniversary and offer new resources to help heritage organizations throughout the county commemorate the AYPE centennial and educate their communities about its impact.
4Culture is encouraging individuals and organizations to observe the AYPE centennial by uncovering "hidden histories" within their collections and neighborhoods. Heritage 4Culture has adjusted its application deadlines for its Cultural Education and Special Projects funding programs to allow time for implementing projects during the centennial year. The Cultural Education application deadline is April 7, 2008. The Special Projects application deadline is April 28, 2008.
4Culture has also partnered with HistoryLink to promote collaboration and coordination among individuals and organizations on AYPE projects. A new website at http://www.aype.org will list all organizations with AYPE-related projects, including books, events, exhibits, essays, and curricula. The website is scheduled to launch by June. To date, 20 King County organizations, including the Museum of History & Industry, the Burke Museum, and the Nordic Heritage Museum, have 30 projects in the planning stages, and more organizations and projects are expected to announce activities.
Now is the time for heritage organizations in King County to begin researching and planning AYPE commemorations. The observance will last several months, and it's a great opportunity to promote your work and educate your audience. For more information on funding and collaboration opportunities, contact Eric Taylor, Heritage 4Culture, 206-296-8688.
related links
Heritage Cultural Education
HistoryLink
Heritage Special Projects
www.aype.org
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January 18, 2008
 January 18, 2008 — Join museum personnel, arts and heritage specialists, and educators at 4Culture's Meet Us at the Pay Streak: Capitalizing on Community Anniversaries workshop on February 23rd at the Museum of History and Industry to learn more about planning for community anniversary observances, such as the upcoming Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition (AYPE) Centennial. Sessions include discussing successful models for anniversary projects, identifying and developing promising partnerships, and making the most of 4Culture funding opportunities.
In 2009, King County will be commemorating the 100th anniversary of the AYPE, Washington's first "World's Fair." Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels has convened a special task force to plan appropriate tributes for the AYPE's Centennial. This committee has stressed that the anniversary of AYPE provides a golden opportunity to design and produce significant public programs, events, and "legacy" projects, as well as to enhance the Northwest's reputation as a tourist destination.
Over 100 years ago, AYPE was mandated by the Washington State Legislature to display the resources, products, and advantages of Washington and the region, and to celebrate the 12 years of prosperity since the 1897 Alaska Gold Rush. AYPE was held on the University of Washington campus between June 1 and October 16, 1909. Nearly 4 million visitors flocked to the AYPE to tour exhibits from scores of foreign nations, western states, and numerous businesses, scientific, and social organizations. Next year's AYPE Centennial commemorations promise to once again draw residents and visitors to this region and provide a perfect venue to showcase local art and heritage programs.
Imagine the amazing resources that could be created if all King County cultural organizations used this significant centennial as the theme in creating special projects, events, or educational tools related to their own contributions to the AYPE. Learn from other workshop presenters about exciting projects or events developed to celebrate an important anniversary in their communities. 4Culture staff will review the valuable funding opportunities that are available for planning and facilitating exhibits, publications, events, curricula, or other special projects commemorating the 2009 AYPE Centennial. Special guests Marie McCaffrey and Alan Stein of HistoryLink will discuss the importance of identifying and exploring AYPE connections within your organization.
Download and print the registration form and mail your check to 4Culture by February 15, 2008. The registration fee of $25 includes a continental breakfast, lunch, and workshop materials. Pre-registration is required to ensure sufficient food and materials are available for all. For more information contact Patricia Filer at 206-296-8623.
Meet Us at the Pay Streak!
 Download Workshop Registration Form
related links
MOHAI
HistoryLink
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