Schifferstadt Architectural Museum Post 1

A few weeks ago, I began an internship at the Schifferstadt Architectural Museum in Frederick, Maryland.  Schifferstadt is a small non-profit museum that is run by the Frederick County Landmarks Foundation (FCLF).  FCLF is an organization that was founded in the 1970s and currently concerns itself with the preservation of historic sites, structures, and landmarks within the city of Frederick.  The Schifferstadt Architectural Museum, a colonial German stone farmhouse that was built c. 1758 (the oldest standing house in Frederick), is FCLF’s main landmark. 

Schifferstadt is a small museum that has a close relationship with the local residents of Frederick.  The town of Frederick has a rich history and more importantly, a large group of residents and locals who are actively engaged in learning and celebrating their towns’ history.  The Schifferstadt museum is constructed as a recreation of the features of the original farmhouse from the 18^th century, displaying built-in cupboards, three five-plate stoves (one is in its original position- the only known still standing five-plate stove in the United States), a squirrel-tail bake oven, a vaulted cellar, and decorative forged hardware in the kitchen and bedrooms. 

These first few days have shown me the close connection that local residents have with the museum and the extensive upkeep that goes into running a small town museum. The Schifferstadt museum is entirely volunteer-run, with the exception of my boss, who manages affairs part time throughout the week.  Many of my first duties have been small but integral tasks like emailing local organizations to ask for volunteers to help the museum, writing thank you letters to our docents and existing volunteers, or even just re-cataloging digital archives.  

I have found it interesting to see how this small museum displays and teaches visitors about its history.  Though some items on display are authentic 18^th century German amenities (a point that is stressed upon during tours), not all of them are.  Some materials are recreations of what is believed would have been present among the Brunner family in the 1700s.  However, for many visitors, the importance is in seeing a visual representation and depiction of colonial farm life, while translating and internalizing this history with either their own ancestors and family or their own depictions and understandings of the past.  Rika Burnham and Elliott Kal-Kee express a similar understanding in their work Teaching in the Art Museum, stating that such materials should not be considered “an end in itself but as a tool to be used for the larger purpose of enabling each visitor to have deep and distinctive experiences” (9).    

The most important aspect of my work has involved fostering the ongoing relationship between Schifferstadt and the local community.  As Eilean Hooper-Greenhill argues in The Educational Role of the Museum, one of the most important aspects of a small museum is for its ideas and development to be “founded upon a recognition of community needs and professionalism” (195).  The local community is the backbone of the Schifferstadt, providing the museum with the encouragement and passion to continue providing a historical and educational space.  In the upcoming week, I look forward to beginning my work on larger projects and hope to expand my understanding of the work environment of a small museum like Schifferstadt.  

References

Burnham, Rika and Elliott Kai-Kee. Teaching in the Art Museum: Interpretation as Experience. Getty Publications, 2011.

Hooper-Greenhill, Eilean. The Educational Role of the Museum. Psychology Press, 1999. 

Second Blog Post

By Chelsea Mueller

Interning for the National Electronics Museum (NEM) has provided me with new insight and perspective to various aspects of museum work from record keeping to storage maintenance.  As the storage move enters its final phases, NEM’s catalog system is continually being updating to account for the relocation of various items.   I am amazed by the amount of preparation and detail needed in both the formulation and aftermath of the move.  

In preparing for my internship, I have read a variety of sources regarding museum work.  Literature dedicated to the subject of storage moves is limited; however, there are sources available which discuss storage maintenance and planning.  For example, Lynn Swain’s “Storage” outlines ideal locations and items needed for any storage warehouse.  When transferring items to the new location, NEM had to transfer items from the previous location, such as ladders and chairs, as well as additional new materials.  For several months, NEM was actively preparing to move artifacts to a new storage location.  This processes included tagging various items, creating labels, which would indicate their location at the new storage facility, as well as determining the location for items that would remain within the museum.  If an item was missing a label, a hand written label would be created with specific data to cross-reference the information at a later time.  While preparation for the move took over a month, relocating artifacts to the new location lasted about a week.  Movers were able to empty the former storage house in approximately three day, while the staff was able to speedily process items at the new location.  While the physical move was relatively short, cataloging items remaining within the museum would be a lengthy process. 

Through continually handling and examining the various tags on artifacts, I have learned different cataloging and labeling systems.   For example, the different types of labels utilized in record keeping, when an artifact is added to the collection as well as recognizing the different parts to a single object.  There is an ample amount of information on cataloging as well as labeling artifacts, most of the electronics within NEM’s storage utilizes a variety of identifying systems.   As a result, I am now familiar with the different systems referenced throughout various writings on museum work. Marie C. Malaro and Ildiko DeAngelis' book A Legal Primer on Managing Museum Collections, addresses various aspects of museum work from processing items to the different rules and regulations protecting artifacts.  While working within the storage house, my supervisor would often explain the labeling system and the history regarding various items.  It was beneficial learning both hands on about the inner workings of the museum as well as having various texts to reference regarding various aspects of accessioning and protecting artifacts. 

This storage move has been a remarkable learning experience.   I am continually amazed by the work NEM’s staff performs on a daily basis.  Their dedication to education for children and adults is inspiring.  As my internship enters its final phases I am excited to learn more about museum work. 

References:

Swain, Lynn. “Storage.” In MRM5: Museum Registration Methods 5th Edition.  Ed. Rebecca A    Buck and Jean Allman Gilmore. The AAM Press: Washington DC, 2010.

Malaro, Marie C. and Ildiko DeAngelis.  A Legal Primer on Managing Museum Collections          Third Edition. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution, 2012. 

First Blog Post

First Blog Post

History 790

By Chelsea Mueller

            The National Electronics Museum has multiple programs and opportunities available to provide interns with a better understanding of archival and museum work.  The National Electronics Museum (NEM) is dedicated to the study and preservation of electronics that helped produced technology which is currently utilized (Mission Statement, 1).  These artifacts include items from specialized military equipment to everyday household electronics.  Throughout the summer of 2016, I will be assisting NEM in a variety of tasks including maintaining public displays and researching various artifacts.   In addition to meeting the needs of the institution, a majority of my time will be used in preparation for a storage move.  Through this coordinated effort, I will obtain a better understanding of both museum work as well as the mission and goals of The National Electronics Museum.

            The founding of NEM was due in part to the Westinghouse Defense and Electronics System’s Family Day in the 1970's.  At this event Westinghouse employees’ projects were showcased to their families.  The success of Family Day implemented a desire to display more of the employees work; however, specific items could only be legally showcased in a nonprofit museum.  As a result, the National Electronics Museum was created to help showcase various pieces of technology.  Throughout the years NEM has moved from multiple locations and has increased their inventory from donations outside of Westinghouse.   The museum continues to provide engineers and the general public knowledge in regard to the evolution of technology (History, 2). To better understand the work done by NEM my internship supervisor, Ms. Alice Donahue, and I have developed a reading list with sources focusing on various aspects of museum work, particularly in regard with the storage move.   

At NEM my primary focus will be the storage move which will act as my final project for Internship Historical Studies.  Currently, NEM is in the early stages of the move archiving and labeling items for transportation. One of the most influential sources was Maureen McCormick’s article “Inventory,” which discusses the various aspects of cataloging artifacts.  This article complements the work I have been completing for the last four weeks.   I have catalogued materials remaining at the museum, recorded their location within the museum and have measured the space each item needs.  NEM has recently begun to move and label items; however, the actual move will not occur until late June and is expected to last through early July. From the information and work I have performed thus far, I have learned how meticulously the planning and moving of historical artifacts needs to be.  There are several components to ensure a successful move including, ensuring the accurate archiving of items, proper labeling of each artifact, the actual move, and checking to ensure all the materials are present once moved.   

The National Electronics Museum is interesting and unique providing visitors with a better understanding of the material created by Westinghouse, and shows how technology applies to daily life.  During my time at NEM I have already learned a significant amount of knowledge and insight to better understand museum work.  Storage moves are not always a common occurrence within museums, through my experience with NEM’s move I will be able to bring insight and experience to future institutions.   

References:

“Mission Statement.” National Electronics Museum Volunteer Manual. May 10, 2008.

“History.” National Electronics Museum Volunteer Manual. May 10, 2008.

McCormick, Maureen.  “Inventory.” In MRM5: Museum Registration Methods 5th Edition.  Ed. Rebecca A Buck and Jean Allman Gilmore. The AAM Press: Washington DC, 2010. 

Final Blog

In mid-June, the Maryland Historical Society will be unveiling a new exhibit on how, and why, they acquire the artifacts that they do.  While subconsciously I knew planning a new exhibit was more than finding topical artifacts, however, I did not know how much work went into the various stages of planning.  There were entire days when Paul and I were locating various objects and helping to stage them for photographs.  The pictures are to draw attention for the exhibit in the Historical Society’s in-house magazine.

On top of staging items for photos, I spent about an hour with Alexandra, Historical Society’s Senior Curator, and Thom, owner of JPL Custom Framing, while observing them pick frames for several of the textile pieces for the exhibit.  I did not realize there was that much to consider when picking a frame.  You have to consider the depth of the piece, the glass, and matting.  It gets even more complicated when you have to factor in that one piece had not gone through the conservation process.  Alexandra and Thom had to pick frames deep enough to ensure there was enough room for a spacer between the textile piece and the matting so as to not cause any more undue stress on the fabric.  I am a little too used to going to Michael’s and picking out a frame without much thought.

Aside from helping with all of the background work that goes into planning an exhibit, I was most excited be a part of unpacking several of Eubie Blake’s instruments.  I was able to see the instruments that were to remain in the Historical Society’s possession, namely his travel organ and piano, as well as his banjo.  There were other pieces that were temporarily being housed in the Historical Society until the Smithsonian came to claim them – like his dulcimer.  Paul and I spent an afternoon conducting Google searches on how to properly repack his travel organ – several YouTube videos later we figured it out from trial and error.  We figured if Eubie was willing to haul them around from city to city it had to be easier than we were making it out to be and we were right!

All in all, my internship was very informative and enjoyable.  Not only did it allow me real world experience – for credit – but it also provided me with the knowledge that I would definitely like to continue working in Collections.  Before the internship started I had plans to focus on curating exhibits, but now I think I would like to focus my studies on Collections Management with the hopes of obtaining a position as a Registrar.  Though my time there is finished for the semester, I will be back in the fall purely as a volunteer and I may request if I could shadow the Allie, Historical Society’s Registrar, to learn more about the Collections aspect of a museum.

RobotFest!

RobotFest is an annual event at the National Electronics Museum where vendors come to show off their enthusiasm for their gear and robots. The entire museum is packed from wall to wall with stations where people come just to share their equipment, and the floor is packed with people who come to see them. I had never seen a 3-D printer before this event, but by the end of the day I had seen every shape and size 3-D printer that is on the market. I even ate an action figure printed with mashed potatoes. The event was full of positive energy, and more people came to the event than I could have anticipated. I even bumped into an R2-D2 rolling around the conference room.

Though there were plenty of other fun activities and interesting things to see, I chose to sit at the solder station and help children put together soldering activity kits. It was rewarding to pass on my soldering skills to the next generation of technicians. I think that I may have had more fun soldering than children.

I am going to shameless endorse this event, and encourage everyone who reads this to go to RobotFest next year if you have the chance. You are guaranteed to learn about modern technology, meet interesting people, and stare directly into the eyes of a life-size Chicken Walker.

So Monday was the last day at START for all of the interns, so this entry is a little bit later than the others for that reason.  I have to say that the experience was very eye opening.  I got to look at terrorist events from a completely different angle.  The way that the researchers there view and think about acts of terrorism is completely different than the way an every day citizen thinks about them.  The last few weeks we were working on a project that was attempting to project the future of certain types of terrorist attacks.  This was by far the most exciting and interesting work we did all semester. Probably the most important as well.  We were trained to perform a certain kind of research called Horizon Scanning which doesn't attempt to predict one certain type of attack, but instead looks at the probability of several different types of attacks happening within a given time period.  So for example, attack type A is only 10 percent likely in the next two years, 25 percent likely in the next five years, and 50 percent likely in the next ten years and then assesses the likelihood of several other attacks within that same time period.  From this you can look at trends and focus your time and resources in the area where the attack is most probable to occur.  It's a very different way of looking at a problem, with no definitive answer.  Overall I would have to say that my time spent at START was very informative, and opened my eyes to the possibility of a different career path that I never thought would be open to History majors.  While I still don't know if I want to follow that particular path, at least I have a better knowledge of that field when it comes down to making that decision.  I would highly encourage anyone to apply to the internship, especially if you're not sure what you want to do after school.  There are so many opportunities in this path and they are all open to graduates with good writing and analysis skills.  From intelligence analyst to regional risk assessment, the skills that you gain while studying history all transfer over.  Do yourself a favor an at least look into it.  At the very least you will gain some very valuable insights into where a degree in history can take you.

Final Post-Grow & Fortify

With my final post upon the completion of my internship I cannot express my appreciation for the opportunity I had working for Grow & Fortify. I have learned a significant amount as the legislative intern for the CEO of the company and in working with the amazing staff that tirelessly labor for their clients throughout Maryland. In April, Maryland’s 2016 legislative session came to a close and I had the chance to be in Annapolis to see how everything happens. Being able to be there to witness the results of my project throughout the semester was both thrilling and tense. The last day of the 2016 session is a frantic day as the Maryland legislature holds several sessions to pass all of the remaining bills. From 9:00am until midnight, I got to experience everything that went into the process. Throughout it we met with several delegates and state senators to learn about the status of our bills and their expected passage. What was most striking was the fact that, no matter how much progress you may have made in the previous months, anything can happen in the final day of the session as representatives seek to have certain bills stopped and others passed. Fortunately, the majority of the bills I worked on passed that day. The bill I spoke of in my previous post was one of those that passed; along with others I had the opportunity to provide insight and arguments for. Because of their successful passing, I also had the opportunity to return to Annapolis to be there for the Governor’s signing of them. I learned a tremendous amount throughout the semester regarding the political process and in the drafting of legislation. I will never forget what I have learned and am very thankful for the experience. What I am most fortunate for, however, is the opportunity to use my skills as a historian to research and provide insight into the laws that needed to be made to support our clients as they have and will develop over the years.

Along with this, I was asked to research the possibility of the company taking on additional clients. Out of confidentiality I will not disclose who these clients may be but their addition would be a great benefit for the company. However, it is also one requiring careful analysis and thought. I researched several articles and the history of the industry to gain insight into its trajectory and any possible issues that may arise in the years to come. It was a great feeling to be asked to provide such insight and to use the writing and research skills I developed as a historian to analyze past trends and make predictions about the future. As I worked on this, I was also asked to consider a possible position with the company for a short time in completing another project after my internship. This project will be an in depth history and analysis of the craft alcohol industry in the state, providing Maryland legislatures a resource to familiarize themselves with the industry. I am very thankful for such an opportunity and look forward to continuing to work with Grow & Fortify. My internship experience has been very rewarding and I am thankful to my supervisor and all those at the company that gave me the chance to work with them and who taught me so much. In addition to the legislative and political insight I gained, I also learned a lot about my skills as a historian. I researched several topics throughout my project this semester to familiarize myself with issues that developed over several years and to help compose legislation to achieve a goal. What this has shown me and I hope shows others is that as historians, we develop great analytical and research skills that can serve us well throughout multiple industries.