Audra,

Your question brought back memories to say the least. I was director of an
historic house structure which was also municipally governed. Trying to get
the city to move on getting the bids for exterior painting was one of the
many challenges of my tenure, along with HVAC headaches, etc. Steve's advice
is very wise. Education is what it will take and it oftentimes needs to be a
well-thought out process moving from point A to B to C and so on. Where is
your instittution in the accredidation process? Have you done a CAP
assessment? This is beneficial because it involves  the board, the city and
the museum staff. Is there an historic preservation officer or architect
with the city that you can involve and partner with,  who could be an
advocate? When we were re-installing the permanent collection, the designer
advised cartpeting for the galleries, which was needed for stabilization of
the cases which held porcelains. It also was needed to cut down the noise
factor and for students to be able to sit on the floor for educational
purposes. The city fought it vehemently because it was felt the wood floors
should not be covered up. The museum brought on a Victorian architecture
consultant who advised that floors of that period were not intended to be
exposed, but be covered. Even with the report it was not smooth going. So a
"compromise" was decided: carpet one gallery and not another. But just think
of the expense when some day they decide that carpteting is needed afterall
and all the cases have to be emptied, move professionally from the rooms and
the entire exhibit reinstalled. Good luck!

Terri McNichol
Ren Associates

>If the museum body drafts a policy regarding exterior use and alteration
but doesn't actually own the building, the municipality isn't necessarily
bound to follow that policy.  Educating the city staff and administration
might be the most tactful way to prevent future harm to the historic
structure.  YOU know the building is an artifact and a resource, and now the
goal should be to get the city to see it in the same light.  >

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