The Fenton History Center is proud to share updates on our ongoing efforts to improve and maintain our facilities and collections. Storage issues are a common challenge faced by museums, and finding effective solutions is essential to preserving and showcasing history.
One significant project we recently completed involved Room 4 in the basement of the Hall House Research Center. This space was used for miscellaneous non-collections and non-archival storage, which presented the opportunity to expand and better house our historical collections and archives. However, the space required extensive cleaning and preparation to be utilized for preserving our priceless artifacts and collections. This effort, which began in 2023, was made possible through the dedicated work of our volunteers, who spent countless hours organizing and clearing the room.
Former Director Jane Babinsky laid the groundwork for this transformation by seeking funding for the project. Her efforts led to a grant from the Lenna Foundation, which generously provided $44,259 to make this project a reality. Special thanks to the Lenna Foundation for their support.
The project required critical foundation and waterproofing work to ensure the space would be suitable for collections storage. Tri-County Restoration undertook the concrete foundation work, while Total Foundation Solutions completed the waterproofing, providing the necessary structural improvements. Additionally, Stormer Mechanical Services was instrumental in removing radiators from the room, further preparing the space for its new purpose.
To facilitate the waterproofing work, Archivist and Curator Matthew Tsitso and I (Andrew Kolstee) worked to inventory numerous archives in the adjacent room in order to temporarily move them. This process involved organizing and relocating items into storage totes, which were purchased through the support of then Board President, Janet Wahlberg. The associated archives were subsequently inventoried and indexed for easier processing and organization.
We are excited about the progress made and the improved functionality of Room 4 in the Hall House Research Center. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this project, and especially to the Lenna Foundation for their vital financial support.
