posted 09-28-2007 08:37 AM            

The broad concept is to compile a list of institutions (museums, historical societies, galleries, libraries, etc) that have permanent silver collections (and/or Libraries on Silver). The list will include info on whether the collections are currently on display, permanently on display or when the collection was last on display, etc. We are just beginning to think about this so we am not sure what info we should collect/list. Your suggestions would be appreciated.

We would also like to know what you think of the preliminary idea?

Is there anyone interested in helping us to develop the idea?

The goal is to gather the data and then to present it in a static WEB HTML page.

Preliminarily our idea for what to collect:

• Country:
  
• State:
  
• City:
  
• Institution's name:
  
• WEB site: http//:
  
• Type (museum, Library, historical society, galleries, other) : _______
  
• General description of collection(s):
  
• Curator/principle contact:
  
• Private or open to the public:
  
• Collection is on display (permanently, until, by appointment, etc):
  
• Last on display (date):
  
• Special notes:

The moderators do not see this project happening without some significant assistance from all members.

posted 10-03-2007 09:33 AM            

Thanks for the encouragement.

We will need a larger group of volunteer members who are committed to doing the work and seeing this project through to completion.

Once we have identified who is willing/able to commit the time & effort, then I will set up a private forum for us to hash out the details and to move the project along.

It is great to know there is genuine interest and we would like to know if others also feel the same or not. Silence is often a polite "no interest" but we would rather hear it either way.

In addition we would like to hear everyone's ideas/suggestions and to identify who is volunteering.

The list might change but if anyone can provide the info for any institutions they know/or are a member of that is also welcomed in this thread.

posted 10-07-2007 03:58 PM            

I would like to help as much as I can. I know the Worcester Art Museum has a great collection of Revere silver and I can check with some local historical societies. Will also check with the Currier Gallery in Manchester to see if they have a silver collection.

This should be a great resource for all.

posted 10-10-2007 02:38 PM            

1. Country:
   
2. State:
   
3. City:
   
4. Institution's name:
   
5. WEB site: http//:
   
6. Type (museum, Library, historical society, galleries, other _______) :
   
7. General description of collection(s):
   
8. Curator/principle contact(s):
   
9. Private or open to the public:
   
10. Collection is on display (permanently, until, by appointment, etc):
    
11. Last on display (date):
    
12. Special notes:
    
13. Info collected by (SSF handle or name):

The above is thought to be the basic info that should be collected. Does anyone want to suggest changes/additions to the above?

To get this project started it will require many volunteers from all parts of the world. We will need volunteers not only to collect the data but volunteers to coordinate efforts in different areas/regions to insure there are not duplicate efforts or institutional contacts made.

This project most certainly will have to start small. For example, only in regions where we have volunteers. Once we have a few areas/regions covered and the data well presented then this should provide a good example which will hopefully inspire others to step up for do their own areas/regions in the world.

1. To get things started we need to refine/define the above list of info to collect and maintain?

2. Then we need to know who is sincerely able to commit the time to gathering info and/or to coordinating efforts in their area/region of the world.

   So who is volunteering and in what capacity?

posted 10-13-2007 10:48 AM            

1. United States
   
2. New Jersey
   
3. Newark
   
4. The Newark Museum
5. www.NewarkMuseum.org
   
6. General art and natural history museum, founded 1909
   
7. Decorative arts (European and American); American art, African Art, Asian Art, Antiquities, Numismatics, Native American art, natural history collections.
   
8. Decorative arts curator: Ulysses Grant Dietz [udietz@newarkmuseum.org]
   
9. Public, check website for hours and directions
   
10. American silver, 17th century to present; Some silver on display in permanent decorative arts galleries [House & Home in the Ballantine House] and in the American art galleries {Picturing America]; bulk of silver is in storage and shown on a rotating basis (last major exhibition was in 2005)
    
11. There is a modest collection of English silver (maybe 100 pieces), also 17th-20th century, including numerous examples of Hester Bateman collected by a lady in Newark in the 1930s and 40s.
    Individual pieces can be viewed by appointment with the curator.

posted 10-13-2007 11:27 AM            

One question that Ulysses may be able to answer...
I am often in contact different museums for the events section of this web site and I it is challenging to track down the specific person for information (will the Public Relations department be the source or would it be best to go through the curator of that department?). Also would it be best to call them, email them, or send a letter?

I can cover the southeast.

------------------
CarlaZ

posted 10-14-2007 02:56 PM            

We need other volunteers (even in the southeast).

Carla are you volunteering to gather info or to coordinate efforts or both for the southeast?

What states do you feel are defined by the “southeast”?

posted 10-16-2007 02:46 PM            

Eventually I will password protect the following submission form so that only volunteers will be able to use it. But until then it is here for your inspection.

posted 10-25-2007 11:07 AM            

1. instutname:
   
2. instutwbsite:
   
3. iclass:
   
4. classother:
   
5. privpubmem:
   
6. Country:
   
7. countryother:
   
8. city:
   
9. stprov:
   
10. staddress:
    
11. Collectionname:
    
12. collectiondecription:
    
13. ondisplay:
    
14. lastondisply:
    
15. collectionnotes:
    
16. contactname:
    
17. contacttitle:
    
18. contactphone:
    
19. contactemail:
    
20. curatorname:
    
21. curatortitle:
    
22. curatorphone:
    
23. curatoremail:
    
24. contactnotes:
    
25. ssfidname:
    
26. membernotes:

This project requires many more committed volunteers with an emphasis on regional/area volunteers.