Flood and Natural Disaster Resources for Museums, Historical Societies, and Cultural Institutions
There are many resources available to guide historic societies and museums when dealing with collections damaged by flood or natural disaster. The Wisconsin Historical Society has put together a document, Disaster Response Plans for Museums, Historical Societies and Cultural Institutions (PDF, 6 MB), to provide useful guidance for collecting institutions following a crisis.
Cultural institutions may get free telephone advice and possibly other services on cleaning up after a flood or natural disaster by contacting your regional conservation center. Learn about the Midwest Regional Conservation Guild here.
Another helpful phone resource for museums, historical societies and cultural institutions is the American Institute for Conservation (AIC), which maintains a force of "national heritage responders" trained to assess damage and initiate salvage of cultural collections after a disaster. Cultural institutions needing assistance should contact National Heritage Responders at NHRpublichelpline@culturalheritage.org for a referral.
Online Resources for Managing Disaster: Museums and Historical Societies
- Disaster Response and Recovery
Guides, information, and resource lists from the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works - Field Guide to Emergency Response: Downloadable Forms
List of printable PDF forms from the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works to help you to get organized with the proper supplies to preserve collections when dealing with a crisis - Response and Recovery Resources
List of the top emergency response resources, curated by the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative - Salvaging Water-Damaged Family Valuable and Heirlooms
FEMA Fact Sheet that provides easy-to-follow guidelines for a variety of cultural objects and materials - Collections Caretaker
Advice for historical societies or museums for maintaining their collections after a fire, flood or earthquake - Before and After Disasters: Federal Funding for Cultural Institutions
A downloadable PDF guide to disaster funding for cultural institutions - Conservation Resources List
Developed by the Wisconsin Historical Society, the conservation resources list gives general resources for cultural institutions looking for "best practices" to prevent damage to collections
The Wisconsin Historical Society also offers a list of resources for managing disasters when dealing with damage to historic homes and properties.
Learn More
Resources for Local Historical Societies
Have Questions?
Contact:
Janet Seymour
c/o University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
105 Garfield Avenue, Hibbard 728
Eau Claire, WI 54701-4004
Phone: 715-836-2250