Things Backus-Page House Museum staff were saying this week: "Does your computer have internet? Nope. (insert huge sigh here)"
The bane of my existence this week was dodgy internet. Even when we could connect to it, it was so slow it took me over 3 hours to send one email. They tell me there is an issue at the closest tower so if you send us an email or are expecting one from us, please have patience. We didn't realize how many tasks require use of the internet until we lost it. We couldn't even take credit card payments since it requires Wi-Fi. Let's hope our technological issues are solved by Tuesday morning when we're back in the office.
New to our collection this week is a Bible belonging to Robert Stevenson of Tyrconnell dated 1876. It contains a pressed flower, marriage license to Sarah M. Crane and handwritten listings of the family births and deaths. This item, along with a 1904 W.R.A. medal was donated by Jennifer (Stevenson) Worth, the great great granddaughter of Robert. Jenny and I went through school together and her mother, Mary Jane Stevenson, volunteered with the Tyrconnell Heritage Society in the early days of the society. Jenny recalls coming to the Backus-Page House with her Mom before all the renovations and being told to wear her work clothes. Jenny was so excited to see the renovations complete and how we've furnished the rooms and maintained the grounds. I was glad for the quick visit to catch up.
Adding an item into our collection (called an accession) involves many steps. When the item arrives, a Gift Form is filled out listing all the items being donated and the museum staff person and the donor sign the form, giving ownership to the Backus-Page House Museum. I try to get as much information from the donor about their item(s) such as who it belonged to, where did they get it, how was it used and anything else they can tell me. The next step is for me to decide whether the item will be added to our permanent or educational collection. Educational means it can be handled and demonstrated and permanent means that it can be seen, but not handled.
With the Stevenson Bible, I took the time to transcribe all the handwritten births and deaths for our records and for anyone interested in the genealogical information. This way we can use or provide the information without opening the actual Bible. I also included a copy of my transcriptions with a thank you letter to Jenny, similar to the letters we send to each and every donor.
Every item in our collection has a worksheet for it with such information as measurements, description, history, maker, and most importantly what it's assigned accession number will be and where on the item that number is written. The funniest description I have seen on one of our worksheets says "like the one the Honey Nut Cheerios Bee carries". It's a desciption for a honey dipper!!
The worksheet, gift form, and any other documentation pertaining to the artefact are filed in the current year's binder in order of accession number. The accession number is written onto the item itself in an inconspicuous location. Research is done to assign a monetary value to the item so we know the amount for the donor's charitable tax receipt. These values are approved at the monthly board meeting by board motion and vote.
Onto the computerized collection records: A photograph is taken and the computer file of the photograph is given the accession number as it's name, making it very easy to find. The artefact is entered into the Collection Registry for the current year using only it's accession number, name of the item, and the donor's name. All information on the worksheet is entered into the Master Card Catalogue database plus a digital scan of the gift form and photograph(s). At this time I decide where the artefact will be placed whether that is inside the museum, the barn, the collection storage room, or for paper documents or photographs, the accessions filing cabinet in my office. The location is an integral part of the Master Card Catalogue database.
Once the item is in it's assigned location that ends the accessions process. Charitable tax receipts are mailed out each February to our donors. I hope this quick description gives you an idea of what happens after you donate something to us for the collection. Moving an item through this process can take anywhere from an hour to all day if we have trouble finding information.
Leave a comment below about other behind the scenes museum work or park management you would be interested in reading about and share all our posts on your social media accounts. Thank you.
Don't forget Sunday Summer Teas 1-4pm in July and August. $10 per person includes tea, baked goods in the parlour and a tour of the museum.
Angela Bobier, Cultural Manager
