Resources for Small Museums and Historic Sites

Sustaining Places is a collaborative resource project from the Museum Studies Program at the University of Delaware and the Tri-State Coalition of Historic Places. This site is supported by a grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services‘ 21st Century Museum Professionals Program.  The purpose of this website is to collect examples of good ideas and best practices for small historical organizations. These are made by numerous contributors, including Sustaining Places graduate assistants and Museum Studies graduate students, often with the assistance of a historic site or museum staff.

Practical Guidelines for Care of Collections

What you will find here is practical information on how to preserve cultural heritage collections. The information is based on standard museum and library  practice and is basic and non-technical. It emphasizes preventive care---the measures that reduce or prevent deterioration--- and focuses on a cost-effective approach to the preservation of collections long-term.

Historic Structure Preservation Briefs

Preservation Briefs provide guidance on preserving, rehabilitating, and restoring historic buildings. These NPS Publications help historic building owners recognize and resolve common problems prior to work.