Registrars to the Rescue
Heather Marie Wells, Collections Assistant/Podcast Producer
Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, Springdale, AR
(479) 750-8165, hmwells@springdalear.gov
Heather Bettinardi, Outreach Coordinator/Educator MacArthur
Museum of Arkansas Military History, Little Rock, AR
(501) 376-4602, hbettinardi@yahoo.com
Tom Debo, Registrar
The Ralph Foster Museum, Point Lookout, MO
(417) 690-2602, debo@cofo.edu.

Agenda
 Registrars to the Rescue
– Interactive group discussion
 Collections Care Basics
– Very quick run through
 Hands On
– Helping the Marked Tree Museum

Part 1
Registrars to the Rescue

Who can use some extra
help?
 Basic idea is trained collections
professionals volunteer to help
museums accomplish collections related
projects
– RC-AAM Reinforcement Crew
– Helping Hands Brigade
– White Gloves Gang

Interactive Discussion
This group can be whatever we want to
make it, so please join in the discussion.

Proposed Mission
The mission of Registrars to the Rescue is to
assist any Arkansas museum regardless of
staff size or budget with collections projects,
to aid Arkansas museums with collections
recovery from disasters, and to teach
techniques for proper collections care.
Registrars to the Rescue hopes to encourage
a feeling of community and inter-institutional
co-operation while also providing those
interested with museum collections a
networking opportunity.

Governing Body
 5-7 member committee
– odd number
– size may depend on activity level
 4 Congressional districts
 Service of perhaps two year terms
 Communication through Yahoo group

How to Volunteer
 Application
– To help us match you to projects that you
would be interested in
 Database
 Benefits
– Training
– Networking
 No Fees

How to Get Help
 Application
 Criteria
– Merit of project (clearly defined, realistic goals)
– Logistics (travel time, meals, housing)
– Available help
– Personal size (paid & unpaid)
– Budget size
 Committee member institutions

Once a Project is selected
 Committee members meet with host
museum (in advance of project date)
 Determine list of supplies and skills
need for project
 Talk about getting sponsors or
donations if needed (museum supplies
but also food, housing etc.)

Future Endeavors
 How many helping projects a year
– AMA meeting (before, during, after)
– Different locations
 Publishing handouts, booklets, etc.
 Workshops
 Long distance training
 Disaster response
 Website

Anything else?

Part 2
Quick Collections Care Basics

Collections Care Basic
Tenants
 Do No Harm
– Make it reversible
– When in doubt wait & seek advice
 Strive for consistency
 Always have a paper trail – Document,
Document, Document
– Leave your initials, date, what you did,
why you did it

Types of Collections
 Artifact
 Research
 Education
 Exhibit

Types of Collections
 Artifact

Basic Steps
 Accessioning
 Cataloging
 Cleaning
 Marking / Tagging
 Storing

Paperwork
 Temporary receipt
 Deed of gift
 Accession forms
 Tax forms

Accessioning
 Basic information
– Donor info
– Description of collection as whole
– Accession number (S-2009-45)
– Sent / returned Deed of Gift

Cataloging
 In depth history of object
– Maker, date
– Use, how it works
– Connection to donor
 Classify according to nomenclature
 Description, measurements, markings
– Based on your written descriptions can someone
50 years from now find that object?
 Remarks – comments on cleaning,
exhibiting, storage, numbering, cross
reference, etc.

Cleaning
 Do No Harm
– Make it reversible
– When in doubt wait & seek advice
 Dusting
– Soft rags
– Natural hair brushes
 Vacuuming
– Protection screen
– HEPA filter
 Washing
– Distilled water
– GENTLE agitation if any at all
– Lay flat to dry, no wringing or twisting

Marking
 Make it reversible
 Use pencil when you can
 Consistent location on objects
 Hang tags

Storing
 Boxing
 Hanging
 Shelving - Not everything needs to be in a box
 Creativity
– Dealing with odd shapes
– Maximizing your space
 Naming consistency
– Boxes
– Shelves

Boxing

Hanging

Shelving

Shelving

Creativity

Creativity

Creativity

Hands On
 Background on the Marked Tree
Museum
 Explain work areas
 JUST DO IT!

Marked Tree Delta Area Museum
• 1992 the Marked
Tree Historical
Society formed
• 1993 the Marked
Tree Delta Area
Museum was
envisioned and
the Tri-City Area
Cultural Council,
Inc. formed

Marked Tree Delta Area Museum
• May 1993 they
held their first
temporary public
exhibit
• 1994 first
permanent
exhibit opens at
the library and
they receive 501-
C-3 status

Marked Tree Delta Area Museum
• 1995 the contents
of the Verser
Hospital were
donated to the
museum and their
second permanent
exhibit opens
• 1997
groundbreaking for
the museum/library
complex

Marked Tree Delta Area Museum
• 1999 Grand Opening
• To date the museum features
– One quarter of a block at the center of town
– One historical building
– Five galleries
– Staff of 1 and volunteer group of 15

What are we doing?
 Explain work areas
 JUST DO IT!

Thank You for Coming!
Heather Marie Wells, Collections Assistant/Podcast Producer
Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, Springdale, AR
(479) 750-8165, hmwells@springdalear.gov
Heather Bettinardi, Outreach Coordinator/Educator MacArthur
Museum of Arkansas Military History, Little Rock, AR
(501) 376-4602, hbettinardi@yahoo.com
Tom Debo, Registrar
The Ralph Foster Museum, Point Lookout, MO
(417) 690-2602, debo@cofo.edu.