SPORTING HERITAGE ’s Post

We have been crunching the numbers on the industrial heritage survey that we have been doing for Historic England and The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust. Some headlines from our work so far… - 48% of sites are owned by a preservation trust or society; 25% are in local authority ownership - 45% of sites are accredited museums - On average each site spent £192,163 on repairs and maintenance over the last three years - 53% of sites had found it ‘quite difficult’ to secure public sector funding in the last three years; only 40% had sought sought private sector support - The majority of volunteers are over 65 years old; 74% of sites said they found it ‘fairly difficult’ or ‘very difficult’ to attract new volunteers, and especially young volunteers - Over 40 million people visited independent designated industrial heritage sites during the last three years, the majority of whom were non-specialist family audiences Still lots more to unravel — but a mixed picture, with lots of scope for future development. The full report will be out later in the summer, and we will do a more comprehensive update in the next few weeks. (Photo taken at the brilliant Beamish Museum!) #heritage #museums #industrialheritage #culturalheritage #industrialarchaeology #heritagetourism #industrialhistory

Through my studies, professional and personal experiences I have arrived to conclusion that due to the vital importance identity has to human nature, I do consider the human as an ‘animal identitarium’, which means that his outstanding attribute and essence is a striving for identity. Humankind, different from other animals which apparently are satisfied with their one nature and identity, is in constant and anxious research and construction of his or her own identity. The ‘animal identitarium’ creates his or her identity through symbols, rituals, myths which became their own marks of identity; they protect it, and can even kill in the name of identity. Therefore, their identitarian symbols, rituals, and myths form an existential revered environment and territory: his interpretative paradigm, her language and grammar, their ‘real’ world, are sacred to them, providing meaning to life, a sense of belonging. Through these cultural creations their identity is acknowledged.   Ercolani, G., The Maidan Museum: Preserving the Spirit of Maidan - Art, Identity, and the Revolution of Dignity (Stuttgart: Ibidem-Verlag, 2023), 45.

Hi Everyone, On December 16th. I am teaching a comprehensive online course on, "Storage for Museum Collections". In this course you will learn about the deterioration of museum collections, how storage can prevent conservation problems, how to assess your storage spaces, needs, equipment, and environment, and how to plan for space and systems that are best for you. There are no Deadlines. It is structured so you can do the course from home or from work entirely on your own time. No tests and no quizzes. There is a written assignment to complete the course This online class will give you the tools to understand, assess, and develop a plan to improve storage for your museum collections. Go to this link for payment: https://lnkd.in/g8rP9nsf Cheers! Dave David Harvey Principal Conservator & Museum Consultant Los Angeles CA USA #museums, #collectionsmanagement, #historicsites, #archaeology, #culturalheritage, #artconservtion, #archives, #antiques

Simplify Your Collection Management 📚 Managing digital collections doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With Recollect, we’ve simplified the process, making it easier than ever to manage, preserve, and share your collections. Our cloud-based platform streamlines tasks like cataloging, digital preservation and public access so you can focus on what matters most - connecting your community with its cultural heritage. Whether you're in a library, museum, or archivist, Recollect can help you protect your collections for future generations. Learn more about how Recollect simplifies collection management here: https://lnkd.in/g_jXc3d #DigitalPreservation #CollectionManagement #Libraries #Museums #Archives #Galleries

📢 Bulk accessioning guidance – feedback on draft material✍ We've produced a revised draft version of our existing guidance for bulk accessioning, aiming to improve readability and clarity. Changes include: ⚪ Simplified language, ensuring the use of plain English throughout. ⚪ Checking that the content responds to common enquiries. ⚪ Replacing ‘your collection’ with ‘the collection’ or ‘collections in your care,’ in line with Spectrum 5.1 and our rethinking cataloguing initiative.  ⚪ Reference to accountability. ⚪ Additional references to policy. Please follow this link to find out more and send your feedback: https://lnkd.in/gbiZYYif The deadline is 9am Monday 16 September. #Museums #Guidance #MuseumDocumentation

"What legal and ethical issues will you consider before borrowing objects?" This is the second question you must consider when forming your policy covering the borrowing of objects. This could either be a standalone document or part of a wider collections management policy. 🔗 https://buff.ly/3WDXRMM #PrimaryProcedures #MuseumDocumentation #Museums

HYGROMETRIC TREATMENT IN CULTURAL HERITAGE DISPLAY CASES The International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works 🖼️ Preventive conservation of works of art and historical artefacts is a fundamental mission, and knowledge of materials is crucial in choosing the best solution to combat humidity. 🏛️ 🔍 Having in-depth knowledge enables conservators to plan effective strategies, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the cultural heritage without compromising its integrity. 🌍 Investing in research and training on best practices for moisture management in museums is not only a wise choice, but a responsibility to the history and culture we represent. 💡 It is crucial to keep abreast of technological innovations and state-of-the-art materials to ensure the optimal preservation of our common heritage. https://lnkd.in/dvDh8WXB #Museums #CulturalHeritage #HeritageCare #preventiveconservation #propadynmuseart

MUSEUM TOOLKIT KLAXON: I'm pleased to report that 'Materialising the Cold War' researchers Jessica Douthwaite and Sarah Harper have produced _The Cold War in Museums: A Toolkit for Professionals and Volunteers_. https://lnkd.in/eMSeRkQu [scroll down] Reflecting on insights from museum professionals and our research from the ‘Materialising the Cold War’ project, the toolkit is intended to be an informative guide for museum and heritage professionals, as well as volunteers. They offer advice on collecting, interpreting and displaying Cold War history. The toolkit includes step by step guidance for identifying Cold War objects and assessing their Cold War connections, offers strategies for addressing collections gaps, and makes recommendations on how to convey this multi-dimensional story in a way that resonates with diverse audiences. Five case studies by Meredith Greiling , Kathryn Bedford , Kevin Booth , Ewan Burnet , and Doug Millard demonstrate best practice and lessons learnt through their experiences engaging with Cold War heritage. We hope this toolkit inspires and promotes further discussions around the Cold War in the museums. Feedback welcome! #ColdWar '#ColdWarHeritage #MaterialisingtheColdWar #heritage #museums Holger Nehring ; Matthew Sheldon ; Peter Johnston ; Dr Peter Robinson ; Dr. Milka Ivanova ; Harry Raffal ; Louisa Blight ; Oliver Carpenter ; Alexandra Geary ; Steven Leech ; Robert Rumble

Museums are often seen as places to explore history and culture, but we sometimes overlook one of their most important roles: collecting. 🏛️ The work of collecting goes far beyond displaying artifacts. It’s about preserving pieces of the past for future generations, ensuring that stories, knowledge, and culture don’t get lost over time. Whether it’s ancient artifacts, contemporary art, or even everyday objects, these collections help us build a bridge between the past, present, and future. Behind every exhibit is a team of dedicated professionals who carefully curate, research, and safeguard these items. Their work is essential to ensuring that what we see in museums isn’t just a snapshot, but a well-researched, contextualized piece of history. When museums collect, they’re not just gathering objects — they’re creating an archive of humanity's story. As we continue to evolve, these collections help us reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going. So next time you visit a museum, remember that the work happening behind the scenes is just as important as the exhibits on display. 🙌 #MuseumWork #CulturalHeritage #Preservation #CuratingTheFuture #eminspost