January 14, 2008

The Kettering Family Foundation has awarded the American Precision Museum (APM) a grant to enable the museum to begin planning for the restoration of the building’s deteriorating masonry.  The museum will also install much-needed new wiring on the first floor and an upgrade of its security detection system.  This is the second grant the museum has received from the Kettering Family Foundation to support the building’s restoration project.  At the same time, the Foundation also awarded the museum an unrestricted grant to support the museum’s annual operating budget.

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has awarded APM a third Preservation Assistance grant to support its ongoing efforts to improve collections care and the museum’s storage environment. This grant will allow the museum to work with a conservator experienced with industrial collections. Clara Deck, Senior Conservator at The Henry Ford, Dearborn Michigan, will be on site at APM to train staff, volunteers and trustees in care and handling techniques and materials and review the museum’s policies, procedures and environmental monitoring data.

The museum’s second NEH Preservation Assistance grant in 2006 enabled the museum to purchase and install collections care supplies and equipment, including window shades to protect the artifacts from light damage and acid free boxes and folders for photographs and records about the collection.  This project was completed in 2007. With the first NEH Preservation Assistance grant in 2003, the museum was able to work with a Vermont consulting conservator to purchase and set up electronic monitoring equipment to record temperature and relative humidity conditions in storage and exhibit areas.

 “The museum has worked hard over the past several years to improve the care we give our collections and the historic Robbins and Lawrence Armory,” says Board Chairman, Douglas Loudon.  “We are very grateful to all our funders for their support in making these projects happen.”

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