Small Museum Resources
Below, we have gathered a list of programs, services, and other resources that are specifically attuned to the needs of small museums. Please contact our webmaster if you have other helpful resources you would like to share with your colleagues (webmaster@smallmuseum.org).
Grants:
Conservation Assessment Program (IMLS Grant)
Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Foundation Center
Fundsnet Online
Maryland Museums Association (MMA) Grants
Museum Assessment Program (IMLS Grant), American Association of Museums
National Endowment for the Humanities
Non-Profit Gateway
Training Opportunities:
AAM’s Professional Development
Connecting to Collections’ Online Community and Webinars
Conservation Assessment Program (IMLS Grant), Heritage Preservation
Museum Assessment Program (IMLS Grant), American Association of Museums
Small Museum Pro! Certification
Smithsonian’s List of Museum Training Opportunities
StEPS, American Association for State and Local History
Sustaining Places
MuseumDev offers 4-week courses for museum professionals taught by subject experts with specialized skills and practical experience. Asynchronous courses allow you to finish readings, participate in discussion forums, and complete class assignments on your own schedule. SMA members 10% off the course price of $199 using the code “SMA10”.
Bookshelf:
Small Museum Toolkit, AltaMira
AAM Articles – Publicly available resources include:
Disaster Planning:
http://statewideplan.pbwiki.com
http://www.dplan.org
IRS Articles:
Tax Information for Charities & Other Non-Profits
Cultural Property:
Forms:
US Copyright Office, the Library of Congress forms
From Our Members:
THE CROWNING CRIME: The International Slave Trade
by Glenn Williams, Curator, U.S.S. Constellation
Networking:
Many members of the Small Museum Association have volunteered to help with your questions on professional dilemmas and problems. Take a few minutes to go through the list and see if there is someone with the expertise you are looking for to answer your toughest questions!
20th Century Military History:
- Mike Leister, Director, AMC Museum
- Glenn Williams, Historian/Planner, American Battlefield Protection Program
Automobile Museums
Architecture:
- GWWO, Inc./Architects — www.gwwoinc.com
Board and/or Staff Development:
- Melissa Heaver, Registrar, Fire Museum of Maryland
Cemeteries:
- Mary A. Van Balgooy, Executive Director
Peerless Rockville Historic Preservation, Ltd.
Civil War:
- Medicine: Terry Reimer, Researcher, National Museum of Civil War Medicine
- Glenn Williams, Historian/Planner, American Battlefield Protection Program
Collections Management:
- Mike Leister, Director, AMC Museum
- Mary A. Van Balgooy, Executive Director, Peerless Rockville Historic Preservation, Ltd.
- Melissa Heaver, Registrar, Fire Museum of Maryland (Collections Computer Software)
Colonial History:
- Annmarie Buckley Education Manager, The Accokeek Foundation
Conservation:
- Gwen Spicer, Conservator, Spicer Art Conservation, LLC
- Susan L. Duhl, Conservator/Collections Care Consultant
- Sarah C. Stevens, Zephyr Preservation Studio, LLC
Cooperative Collection Models:
- Troy Luginbill, Director/Curator, Lynden Pioneer Museum
Disaster Planning:
- Melissa Heaver, Registrar, Fire Museum of Maryland
- http://statewideplan.pbwiki.com
- http://www.dplan.org
Editing, Writing, and Proofreading:
- www.the-freelance-editor.com
- Kelsey Ransick, (editing, formatting, graphic design) Free the Museum
Exhibit Design and Fabrication:
- Janice Klein, Director, Mitchell Museum of the American Indian
(Display/Use of Native American material; NAGPRA) - Abrams Associates — www.aaexhibits.com
- Paul Trapido / Interpretive Design – www.PT-ID.com
- Peter Welsh, Marketechs Exhibit Design, www.marketechs.com, peter@marketechs.com
Fire:
- History: Steve Heaver, Curator/President, Fire Museum of Maryland
Heritage Tourism:
- Troy Luginbill, Director/Curator, Lynden Pioneer Museum
Historic Houses:
- Melissa Heaver, Registrar, Fire Museum of Maryland
Land Preservation:
- Annmarie Buckley Education Manager, The Accokeek Foundation
Law Enforcement:
- John Stine, Chairman, Police Heritage Museum, Inc.
Maryland State Genealogy:
Milling:
- Roland Beckman, Mill Master, Eden Mill
Museums and Computing:
- Marla Misunas, Collections Information Manager: We have a Small Museums group within Museum Computer Network, and I think we have a lot to offer in terms of expertise. Our listserv is free and does not require membership to join, if you’re interested in checking us out.
Museums and Culture Consulting:
- Museums & Culture Consulting (Germany)
Museum Management:
- Mike Leister, Director, AMC Museum
- Ann Korzeniewski, Asst. Site Administrator, Colvin Run Mill Historic Site
- Troy Luginbill, Director/Curator, Lynden Pioneer Museum
Museum Shop/Sales:
- Ann Korzeniewski, Asst. Site Administrator,
Colvin Run Mill Historic Site
Naval History:
- Glenn Williams, Historian/Planner,
American Battlefield Protection Program
Preservation:
- Mary A. Van Balgooy, Executive Director
Peerless Rockville Historic Preservation, Ltd. - Sarah C. Stevens, Zephyr Preservation Studio, LLC
Restoration:
- Fire apparatus/memorabilia: Steve Heaver,
Curator/President, Fire Museum of Maryland
Revolutionary War:
- Glenn Williams, Historian/Planner, American Battlefield Protection Program
Strategic Planning:
- Mike Leister, Director, AMC Museum
Victoriana:
- Troy Luginbill, Director/Curator,Lynden Pioneer Museum
VA Area History:
VAM Council :
- Tracy Gillespie, Director of Historical Operations,
Morven Park Historic House, Gardens and Carriage Collection
Volunteerism:
- Ann Korzeniewski, Asst. Site Administrator, Colvin Run Mill Historic Site
War of 1812:
- Glenn Williams, Historian/Planner,
American Battlefield Protection Program
Web Sites:
- Kelsey Ransick, Free the Museum
- Jan Heirtzler, sleeping baby productions
- Bethany Hacker, PRWorks of Dover
Resource Links
American Association of Museums
American Association for State and Local History
ALHFAM The Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums
Art Museum Network The official website of the world’s leading art museums
Greater Baltimore Historical Alliance
Lower Hudson Conference of Historical Agencies & Museums: a regional service organization formed to advance and advocate the preservation and interpretation of the area’s historical, ethnic and cultural heritages.
Maryland Association of History Museums
Musee An interactive directory to museums’ collections including art, science, history, zoos, archaeology and aquariums, etc. providing links to their educational, entertainment, archive and shopping features.
The Museums of Greater Dover 10 nationally recognized recognized Museums in Dover Delaware!
The Museum Network Explore 33,000 museums worldwide