Celebrate MayDay 2010

Libraries, museums, archives, and arts and historic preservation organizations across the nation will set aside May 1, 2010, to participate in MayDay, a national effort to prepare for disasters. Sponsored by Heritage Preservation and other members of the Heritage Emergency National Task Force, MayDay encourages organizations to take one simple step to protect the art, artifacts, records, and historic sites they hold in trust.

Heritage Preservation is collecting examples of creative but practical measures to share online. Any institution submitting a brief description of 2010 MayDay accomplishments by May 21, 2010, will be entered in a drawing for disaster supplies donated by Gaylord Brothers. Prize winners will be announced on June 1, 2010, the start of the Atlantic Coast hurricane season.

There will be a wide variety of MayDay activities this year. The Monroe County Historical Association in Stroudsburg, PA, is replacing all of the building’s 39 smoke detectors. The Isle of Wight County Historic Resources Division in Smithfield, VA, which developed an emergency plan for MayDay last year, will test the plan and inventory emergency supplies. The National Museum of Industrial History in Allentown, PA, is planning a MayDay luncheon and tour for staff, volunteers, and first responders at an off-site collection storage facility.

Assess your state of readiness by taking our light-hearted quiz on Facebook. Click here for more project ideas, information on prizes, and links to our publications sale. A press release, printable flyer, and customized versions of the MayDay logo are also available for publicizing this national event. Heritage Preservation’s MayDay 2010 campaign is supported by BELFOR Property Restoration.