Introduction to Disaster Preparedness and Response for Museum Collections

Join ICON for a lunchtime presentation at the Tennessee State Museum's Education Suite on the basics of disaster preparedness and response for cultural institutions. Whether we're talking natural disasters like floods, tornadoes, or storms, or disasters in our buildings like fires, burst pipes and leaks, or broken HVAC systems, our buildings and collections need us to have a plan in place to protect them. By planning for the worst, taking steps to mitigate potential damage, and knowing what to do when disaster strikes, we can be better stewards of the treasures and stories we house.

Melanie D. Sanford is the owner and principal of Conserving Threads, a boutique firm providing comprehensive consultation, conservation, and installation services of costume and textile related objects for museums, historical societies, and private collectors. Ms. Sanford has a BS from Baylor University, an MS in Textile Conservation from the University of Rhode Island, and over 20 years’ experience working with collections across the United States. She is a founding member of the Texas Collections Emergency Resource Alliance (TX-CERA), an active board member since 2014, and the past President (2019-2020). She is also a volunteer member of the Texas Heritage Responders and Fire-Rehab with the Lucas Fire Department in Lucas, Texas. She has been working with Bynon Art Services since 2017 to assist in the preservation and care of the Costume and Textile Collection at the Tennessee State Museum.