Smithsonian Institution ‘Saving Your Family Treasures Workshop’ planned for Saturday, June 1, 2019
Smithsonian affiliate The Durham Museum has teamed up with the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative to host a second free workshop providing information on how to preserve damaged personal heirlooms after natural disasters. The workshop will be Saturday, June 1 from 10am-Noon at The Durham Museum (801 S 10th Street, Omaha, NE 68108). The event is free and open to the public.
When homes are damaged and lives are upended, treasured keepsakes such as artwork, photos, personal papers, and other family heirlooms become more cherished. Even in the aftermath of a disaster, these treasures may be salvageable. The workshop is free and open to the public.
Smithsonian staff will be in Nebraska to provide Saving Your Family Treasures workshop in an effort to assist the public with information on salvaging and stabilizing treasured possessions after the recent devastating flooding. The Smithsonian is part of the Heritage Emergency National Task Force (HENTF), a partnership of more than 40 national service organizations and federal agencies whose mission is to protect cultural heritage in our nation’s states, tribes, territories, and local communities from the damaging effects of natural disasters and other emergencies.
The workshop will include a formal presentation followed by a question and answer period. Smithsonian experts will demonstrate how to handle, dry, and clean damaged objects and share tips on personal safety, setting priorities, and other preservation options.
Due to safety concerns, attendees are asked to please not bring damaged objects to the workshop. If there are specific questions about personal heirlooms, attendees are encouraged to bring images of each item to discuss with the preservation experts directly.
About Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative
The Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative works to protect cultural heritage threatened or impacted by disasters and to help U.S. and international communities preserve their identities and history.
