Moving Museum Collections

Moving Museum Collections

Instructor: Lori Benson
Course Date: April 1, 2024
Cost: $400
Enroll and Pay

Museum collections and their associated materials run the gambit from fragile items that need special packing to large, heavy or awkward objects that require special equipment and expertise to move. Moving a collection no matter what the size can be an intimidating task. What are the institutional needs and constraints? Will you take this opportunity to upgrade and reorganize storage systems? This four week online course provides a how-to for planning and managing a museum collections move to avoid the many pitfalls associated with a move project. The course will help you define the scope of your project, develop a work plan and schedule, prepare a communication scheme, define proposals for vendors, choose equipment, estimate costs, identify hazards, organize staffing and establish packing techniques and standards. Whether you are moving across the hall or across town, Moving Museum Collections will provide a guide for a successful move.


Course Goals

You should complete this course with a general understanding of planning and executing a move project. In four weeks we can not possibly cover everything that one could encounter in moving collections, but we hope to give you the tools and resources to figure out issues that arise. The main goal of this course then is to introduce you to the most essential methodology and resources.


Participant Outcomes
Participants will:

  • Define the parameters and expectations of their project
  • Develop a preliminary workplan
  • Determine initial protocols and methodologies
  • Acquire tools to evaluate products and contractors
  • Identify next steps


Too learn more about taking an online professional development course with Museum Study visit What is involved in taking a Museum Study course?

Moving Museum Collections addresses the American Association for State and Local History's Stewardship of Collections Standard 2, The Institution legally, ethically, and effectively manages, documents, cares for, and uses the collections.

  • Does the institution take appropriate measures to ensure the safety and security of artifacts and archival items in its care?
  • Are there designated artifact and archives storage areas?


Comments from participants:

I appreciate the responsive character of the course. As new ideas were raised, more information was forthcoming.

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