New Solutions for House Museums Ensuring the Long-Term Preservation of America's Historic Houses

by Harris, Donna Ann

• ISBN13: 9780759110861
• ISBN10: 0759110867
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-04-16
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Summary

A generational shift is occurring at historic house museums as board members and volunteers retire while few young people step forward to take their place. These landmarks are also plagued by serious deferred maintenance, and many have no endowment funds. What will happen to these sites in the next ten years, and what can be done to assure their continued preservation for generations to come? In New Solutions for House Museums, Harris examines possible options and provides a decision-making methodology as well as a dozen case studies of house museums that have made a successful transition to a new owner or user.

Author Biography

Donna Ann Harris founded the nationwide consulting firm Heritage Consulting Inc., which provides training and consultation services in historic preservation, commercial district revitalization, and nonprofit organizational development.

Table of Contents

List of Figures	p. vii
Acknowledgments	p. ix
Assessment and Decision Making
Current Trends in Historic House Museums	p. 3
Is This Your House Museum?	p. 21
Legal and Ethical Issues	p. 27
The Decision-Making Process	p. 41
Making the Transition	p. 65
Solutions and Case Studies
Eight Solutions Explained	p. 81
Case Study: Study Houses	p. 103
Historic New England
Case Study: Reprogram for Mission-Based Use	p. 107
Nantucket Historical Association
Case Studies: Co-Stewardship Agreements	p. 121
Historic Adams House
Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust
Case Studies: Asset Transfer and Merger	p. 129
Margaret Mitchell House and Museum and the Atlanta History Center
Cliveden of the National Trust and Historic Upsala Foundation
Case Study: Long-term Leases	p. 139
Hazelwood of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
Case Studies: Short-term Leases	p. 155
Heritage Branch, British Columbia Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services
Fairmount Park Historic Preservation Trust
Case Studies: Sale to a Private Owner with Easements	p. 181
Elfreth's Alley Association
Robert E. Lee Boyhood Home
Case Studies: Sale to a Nonprofit Stewardship Organization	p. 205
Casa Amesti Foundation
Heurich House Foundation
Case Study: Donation to a Governmental Entity	p. 225
Adel Historical Society
Conclusion	p. 229
Bibliography	p. 237
Index	p. 247
About the Author	p. 259
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