| Four Groups Cited for Collections Care
Four organizations that have demonstrated innovative and exemplary approaches to caring for collections have been awarded the 2001 Award for Outstanding Commitment to the Preservation and Care of Collections: the Central Park Conservancy, New York; Judson Memorial Church, New York; Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections; and the Sculpture Center, Cleveland. The award, now in its third year, is presented annually by the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works and Heritage Preservation. This year's winners are unusual in that only one actually owns the collection it cares for. Past winners have been primarily museums. Lawrence L. Reger, President of Heritage Preservation, said, “Responsibility for caring for our heritage belongs to all Americans, not only museums and libraries. I commend these organizations that have taken up the mantle of ensuring that our artistic, historical, and scientific heritage survives for future generations.” Central Park Conservancy
The Conservancy has raised more than $65 million in private funds and has cultivated working relationships with graduate historic preservation/art conservation programs in the area. Judson Memorial Church
For many years the congregation did not have the resources to care for and preserve its historic structure and stained-glass windows. The organ case was damaged by graffiti and the windows had fallen into serious disrepair. In celebration of its centennial in 1990, the congregation committed itself to the building's preservation, with particular emphasis on the stained-glass windows. Since then, the congregation has systematically sought out the best advice, knowledge, and craftsmanship to preserve the exterior, restore the stained-glass windows and wooden floor, recreate Stanford White's original interior palette, and clean and conserve the organ case. Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections
SPNHC has made a sustained, strategic effort to improve the level of care provided to natural history collections in North America and around the world. Its journal Collection Forum and the SPNHC Newsletter promulgate best practices. The society has also pursued outside resources and collaborations to produce special publications and other resources, including posters, list-serves, and displays. SPNHC is also actively involved with other professional organizations, including the Society for Vetebrate Paleontology, the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, the Entomology Collection Network, and the American Society of Mammalogists. Their annual Faber Award stimulates original research through a $500 cash award. SPNHC's influence has extended beyond North America through its involvement in the First and Second World Congresses on the Preservation and Conservation of Natural History Collections. The Sculpture Center
Photo credit: Judson Church: Julie L. Sloan. |
The Conservancy's Monument Conservation Program has completed treatment of the park's 50 bronze sculptures and is now focused on ongoing maintenance. The program has been used by the New York City Parks Department as a model to restore and maintain statuary in other parks. The Conservancy has also systematically restored other parts of the park collection, including the Winterdale Arch, Greyshot Arch, Dalehead Arch, Bow Bridge, the fountain at Cherry Hill and the Bethesda Arcade.
Since the late nineteenth century, the church has provided community services. In the 1950s and '60s, its mission evolved into one dedicated to free expression and the arts, housing painters, dancers, and musicians. To better serve the performing arts community, the pews were removed, the original floor covered with linoleum, and the original paint scheme covered over.
SPNHC was formed in 1985 to provide and maintain an international association of persons who study and care for natural history collections; to encourage research on the requirements for preserving, storing, studying, and displaying natural history collections; to encourage the dissemination of information about natural history collections; and to foster the exchange of ideas and information.
The Center aims to have all publicly owned sculpture in Greater Cleveland in good condition and on a yearly maintenance schedule by 2010. Although The Sculpture Center does not own the sculptures, its Conservation Program has significantly increased the visibility and interest of public sculpture in Cleveland by coordinating the conservation funding as well as the associated educational and outreach programs, which are geared to all ages and enlist many volunteers.