HERITAGE PRESERVATION ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF THE 2009 MAYDAY PRIZE DRAWING

Simple Preparedness steps reap big rewards

As the Atlantic hurricane season gets underway, Heritage Preservation would like to recognize the many cultural institutions across the nation that are better prepared for dealing with emergencies because they participated in MayDay. MayDay encourages museums, libraries, archives, and historic sites to take one simple step to protect the art, artifacts, records, and historic sites they hold in trust.

Throughout the spring, organizations submitted descriptions of their MayDay activities to be eligible for a prize drawing of disaster supplies donated by Gaylord Brothers. By the May 22, 2009, deadline, Heritage Preservation 45 entries were received from archives, museums, libraries, and historic sites in 21 states. Short descriptions of these submissions can be found at Heritage Preservation�s May Day Web site.

Congratulations to all the institutions working to ensure the safety of collections, buildings, and staff. The four prize winners were drawn at random by the firefighters at Heritage Preservation�s local fire station, the District of Columbia Fire Department�s Engine 16. They are:

The Kingman Museum in Battle Creek, MI, winner of an Emergency Collections Protection Kit. The museum participated in MayDay by voting on a final Emergency Preparedness Plan and training staff and volunteers how to use it.
The Elkhart County Historical Museum in Bristol, IN, winner of a Universal Spill Kit. The museum completed a multi-year plan to update collections policies and procedures, which includes a disaster plan that promotes visitor and collection safety.
The Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services, winner of two 4-in-1 Emergency Flashlights. The organization is offering free training sessions in May and June for dPlan-RI, an online template to help collections-based cultural institutions develop a disaster plan.
The Intermuseum Conservation Association in Cleveland, OH, winner of two Leak Alert Water Detectors. The association reviewed a revised disaster plan with staff and conducted a building walk-through with the facilities manager.

Other entries included in the drawing provide a wide range of examples from fire extinguisher training to labeling priority collections for evacuation. Heritage Preservation encourages cultural heritage institutions continue in the spirit of MayDay throughout the year.

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The Society of American Archivists (SAA) created the MayDay initiative in 2006 and promoted the idea to its members and allied organizations. In 2007, the Heritage Emergency National Task Force, with SAA�s help, expanded the concept to include all kinds of collecting institutions and historic preservation interests.

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The Heritage Emergency National Task Force is a partnership of 40 government agencies and national service organizations formed in 1995. An initiative of Heritage Preservation and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Task Force has helped to protect cultural heritage from the damaging effects of natural disasters and other emergencies. Find valuable disaster resources at the Task Force Web site, www.heritageemergency.org

For more than 30 years, Heritage Preservation has been the national, nonprofit advocate for the proper care of the objects and sites that embody our history and enrich our lives. Heritage Preservation partners with institutions, organizations, and concerned individuals who care about preserving our past.