St. Charles History Museum receives $19,300 grant

The St. Charles History Museum has been awarded a $19,300 grant from the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley.

The museum received a Collections Assessment for Preservation grant, which is designed to give museums a thorough analysis of their collection spaces so that they are able to enhance and improve preservation and collection practices.

Through a 125-page report, the CAP grant identified several areas in which the St. Charles HistoryMuseum can improve to better preserve its collection. With this grant, the museum will be able to purchase three hygrothermographs – one for each collection space – which will allow staff to monitor temperature and humidity levels of the collections paces 24/7.

This will enable staff to understand exactly what the environment is like at all times and gives the museum a warning when something is amiss so issues can be resolved more efficiently. The museum will also purchase UV-filtering film for its windows and light fixtures to prevent harmful UV-rays from damaging artifacts. In addition to the hygrothermographs and the UV-filtering film, the museum can also increase its security for both the interior and exterior of the building, which ultimately protects the artifacts.

“Without our ability to utilize artifacts, we are not able to produce exhibits, programs and research requests,” St. Charles History Museum Executive Director Lindsay Judd said in a news release from the museum. “Without proper collection care and preservation, we do not have artifacts. This grant awarded by the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley will help us improve our collection and continue to share St.Charles’ rich history with the Fox Valley area and beyond.”

The St Charles History Museum is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. More information is available on its website, stcmuseum.org, or by calling 630-584-6967 or through email at info@stcmuseum.org.