October Newsletter Published

/ Beth / Leave a comment

The October issue of NC Preserves is now available. In this issue:

  • More information on the upcoming NCPC Annual Conference including our lineup of speakers. There is still time to register for the November 20th event.
  • The North Carolina History Center is seeking family stories of the Civil War.
  • A review of upcoming NCPC workshops. Don’t miss out!
  • An excerpt from the National Parks Service publication “Removing Graffiti From Historic Masonry.”
  • Announcing the 2015 NCPC Preservation Grants recipients.
  • News regarding our website and listservs.

Our next newsletter will be published in January 2016. We would love to hear about our members’ preservation projects, initiatives and staff. If you have a story to share, please see our News page for information on how to submit it for publication.

New Workshop Announced: Grant Writing

/ Beth / 1 Comment

Thursday, November 19, 2015
1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Chapel Hill Public Library
100 Library Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Registration fee: $5.00 (yes, you read that right!)
Workshop canceled for lack of registrants

Preservation Grants from the North Carolina Preservation Consortium (NCPC) provide modest financial support for projects that promote the preservation of collections in libraries, museums, archives, and historic sites; monuments, memorials, and outdoor art; archaeological sites and collections; and historic and cultural architecture. NCPC institutional members are eligible to apply for a maximum award of $2,000 to support projects including preservation assessments, conservation of collections, purchasing equipment and supplies, education and training, and preservation projects.

This workshop will cover the NCPC Preservation Grants application process as well as provide general instruction on writing successful grants. We are offering this new workshop at a very low cost to encourage attendance. NCPC members and non-members are welcome to attend.

For complete information on the workshop and how to register, visit our Workshops page.
This workshop is scheduled to coincide with the NCPC Annual Conference. Come for the workshop on Thursday, stay for Friday to hear our great lineup of speakers discussing Monuments and Memorials. Register now for both events!

North Carolina’s Most Endangered Artifacts

/ Samantha Stewart / Leave a comment

North Carolina’s Most Endangered Artifacts is a statewide preservation awareness and fundraising campaign sponsored by the North Carolina Preservation Consortium that promotes the survival of tangible heritage in our state’s archives, historic sites, libraries, museums, and other collection institutions.

From North Carolina’s mountains, through the piedmont, to the coast, artifacts attract students, scholars, and tourists. Native North Carolinians and newcomers enjoy a quality of life enriched by artifacts of history and culture. Artifacts are used for education by school teachers, college and university professors, and people engaged in life-long learning.

These artifacts include paintings, sculpture, ceramics, furniture, textiles, rare books, manuscripts, documents, maps, photographs, films, sound recordings, natural history specimens, monuments, and historic structures. Connecting with an artifact can be a transformative experience so significant artifacts are placed in the stewardship of cultural institutions. We trust that artifacts there will endure.

Unfortunately, many artifacts in our state’s cultural institutions are in danger. All artifacts decay over time due to the internal vice of their composition. Temperature, humidity, light, and pollution are harmful. Hurricanes, fires, and floods are also a risk. Even long term exhibition and handling can damage artifacts.

Conservation can save damaged and decaying artifacts for future generations. Professional conservators apply art and science to their craft. However, it can be costly. North Carolina collection institutions need your help. Many do not have the funds to pay for conservation. Without intervention these artifacts will perish.

The first step to saving these artifacts is nomination. The NCPC Board of Directors will review nominations and select artifacts for this program. A call for donations to fund artifact conservation will then be launched.

Next, help us raise public awareness and donations to save these artifacts. Visit our advocacy and donation web pages.