University of Washington (Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture)

The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture will ensure the long-term care, conservation, and access to its ethnology textile collections by rehousing them in its new facility in a storage system that meets accepted professional standards. Project activities will include moving existing compactors, and purchasing additional new textile compactor units with rods for rolled textiles and flat shelving to hold garment storage boxes. The museum will hire two part-time assistants to facilitate the work of staff in preparing and implementing the work. The project team will work with a conservator to develop a prioritized plan for future care, conservation, and treatment. The museum will evaluate the success of its rehousing efforts and share the results with collections-based museums around the country.