Maine Historical Society Awarded $150,000 Grant from The Institute of Museum and Library Services
August 4, 2008
Portland, ME – The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has awarded Maine Historical Society (MHS) a Museums for America grant of $150,000 over the next two years. The grant will enable MHS to undertake a comprehensive inventory of its museum collections, which is one of the richest in the state and includes more than 15,000 objects that document the history of Maine, New England, and early America. It is one of only three grants awarded in Maine, and 153 awarded nationally from a total of 371 applications.
“This project is hugely important for us,” noted MHS Executive Director Richard D’Abate. “The inventory will ensure that our museum collections are well-documented and cared for, and that our collections management practices meet the highest professional standards. It’s a key step in making MHS collections accessible to researchers and the public, and in our planning for the future. The collections are the foundation for all that we do, including research, exhibits, school programs, and for our online museum the Maine Memory Network.”
Dr. Anne-Imelda M. Radice, Director of IMLS, added, “As repositories of our nation’s treasures and our nation’s history, museums are positioned to play an integral role in the education of their communities. Museums for America grants support projects and ongoing activities that build museums’ capacities and help these institutions serve their diverse constituencies to the best of their abilities.”
The Institute of Museum and Library Services, www.imls.gov, is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development.
Maine Historical Society preserves the heritage and history of Maine: the stories of Maine people, the traditions of Maine communities, and the record of Maine’s place in a changing world. It is comprised of the Wadsworth-Longfellow House, the MHS Research Library, the MHS Museum, and the Maine Memory Network, www.mainememory.net.
For more information:
Maine Historical Society489 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
207–774–1822
www.mainehistory.org
www.mainememory.net
Maine Historical Society preserves and shares Maine's story to enrich life in contemporary Maine.
