Society Learns the West Way to Preserve History

Making a museum is more than putting out a few old things on a table and inviting the public to walk through. Members of the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society’s board and staff recently toured the Autry Museum of the American West’s Collection Care, Archives and Resources Center to learn first-hand what it takes to preserve artifacts and present them in their best light (no flash photography, please).
Created in 2010 when the Autry combined the collections of the Autry and the Southwest Museum of the American Indian, the 100,000-square-foot facility houses more than 600,000 objects, art and materials; including the second largest collection of Native American objects, (second only to the Smithsonian), 14,000 baskets, 1,400 pictures/paintings and 200 saddles.
The group learned about respecting and honoring Native American traditions in handling and displaying artifacts, what materials and equipment are required for the best storage and display conditions, and how to store items that will rotate into new exhibits in the various spaces of the Santa Clarita History Center. Issues of temperature, humidity and pests were discussed as well as how best to handle items from donation to display.
And a friendly reminder was posted in one Autry exhibit space that explained one of the biggest detriments to artifacts out in the open: human touch. Guests are gently reminded that fingerprints contain oil, dirt, skin cells and debris and touching transfers those materials which can damage the artwork or artifact forever.
The visit to the archiving facility was accompanied by a tour of the Autry’s new exhibit “Imagined Wests,” led by curator Josh Garrett-Davis. The exhibit explores how the difference between “the West” and “the Western” have blurred in our culture, with Western influences popping up almost everywhere, from TV, architecture, toys, food products, and even the cars we drive. “Imagined Wests” is scheduled to run indefinitely.
In addition to professional education for archiving and collections management, staff at SCHC is always looking to exchange information and participate in learning opportunities such as those offered by the Autry. The soon-to-launch new and improved SCHC Dispatch (online only) will include news about the historical and cultural sites surrounding our area.