The Tishomingo County Archives & History
Museum (TCAHM) has been chosen by Heritage Preservation to participate in the
2007 Conservation Assessment Program (CAP). TCAHM joins 2,400 other museums
that have participated in CAP since the program began in 1990. Heritage
Preservation's CAP is supported through a cooperative agreement with the
Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. CAP assists museums by
providing funds for professional conservation and preservation specialists to
identify the conservation needs of their collections and historic building and
recommend ways to correctly improve collections and building conditions.
Heritage Preservation’s President, Lawrence L. Reger, praised TCAHM for
"making the vital work of caring for collections and sites a priority at their
institution and helping ensure that they are available to present and future
generations."
CAP provides a general conservation
assessment of the museum’s collections and historic building. Jan Anglin,
Executive Director, TCAHM, stated that "we are delighted to be one of the
recipients of this year’s Conservation Assessment Program grants." She further
stated that through the CAP, TCAHM expects to "receive a general conservation
assessment of the museum’s collections, environment, and historic building
from participating in CAP." Professional conservators will spend two days
surveying the site and three days writing a comprehensive report that will
identify conservation priorities. The on-site consultation will enable TCAHM
to evaluate its current collections care policies, procedures, and
environmental conditions. The assessment report will help the museum make
appropriate improvements for the immediate, mid-range, and long-range care of
its collections and historic structure.
RaNae Vaughn, President of the County’s
historical and genealogical society, stated that "we are committed to making
historic preservation and education about Tishomingo County’s historic legacy
a much higher priority for the County. These funds will help us develop a more
professional conservation program for the museum’s excellent collection. We
are pleased to receive support for conserving Tishomingo County’s rich
heritage, so it is well-preserved for future generations."
Acceptance and participation in the
Conservation Assessment Program requires a commitment of matching funds.
Matching funds are the portion of a program’s costs that are not borne by the
funding source. Most grants require matching financial participation by the
applicant. The historic courthouse has been blessed within the past year with
grants to assist in renovation and restoration. Public assistance with
monetary donations will be gratefully appreciated. Feel free to drop off any
amount to the historic courthouse in Iuka. Checks or money orders may be
mailed to P.O. Box 273, Iuka, MS 38852.
The Tishomingo County Archives & History
Museum is located at 203 East Quitman Street in Iuka, Mississippi, and
specializes in Tishomingo County history. It is open Wednesday through Friday
from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The facility
may be reached via telephone at (662) 423-3500.
