[OPLINLIST] Sixteen Institutions Awarded Ohio LSTA Conservation and Preservation Grants

[marshams at library.ohio.gov]

[cid:image004.jpg at 01DC2EEE.06E0C440]The State Library of Ohio, in partnership with the Ohio Preservation Council, has awarded $74,693 in federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) funds via the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Conservation and Preservation Grants to sixteen libraries and archives in Ohio. These federally funded grants were developed to aid in the conservation of historical objects within the libraries' collections.

The purpose of the Conservation and Preservation Grant is to enable libraries to conserve a single item or a small, discrete group of items within their collections. Eligible institutions could apply for up to $4,999, primarily using these funds to hire a professional conservator or conservation lab to ensure best practices in preserving materials. Through these grants, local communities are empowered to conserve and preserve their unique histories, cultures, and traditions, while also contributing to the larger tapestry of Ohio's history.

"Libraries throughout the state are remarkable repositories of unique collections and artifacts, as this year's grantees can attest," stated Evan T. Struble, Associate State Librarian for Library Development. "I want to extend my gratitude to the representatives from the Ohio Preservation Council, who worked closely with State Library staff to offer vital training for grant applicants prior to the application process, as well as their support during the review phase. I look forward to seeing the outcomes of the conservation efforts next year."

The sixteen institutions awarded the grant are: Archives of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Museum Association, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Congregation Mishkan Or, Fairport Harbor Public Library, Hudson Library & Historical Society, International Women's Air & Space Museum, Kenyon College, Miami University, Oak Harbor Public Library, Oakwood Historical Society, Ohio Wesleyan University Libraries, Rocky River Public Library, Shaker Historical Society,  Westerville Public Library, and Wright State University Libraries.

Archives of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati will use LSTA funds to conserve a collection of liturgical vestments that tell the story of the establishment and growth of the Catholic Church in Ohio. These vestments, once conserved, will be displayed and available for viewing by the public.

Cincinnati Museum Association was awarded funding to provide conservation treatment to two magnetic photograph albums from an important gift of papers related to the life and work of Cincinnati artist Lewis Henry Meakin (1850-1917). This project coincides with broader efforts by the Cincinnati Museum Association to highlight Meakin's legacy in advance of a 2027 biography and exhibition.

Columbus Metropolitan Library will utilize the awarded funds to support their efforts to conserve community planning and land use maps that document the changing landscape of Columbus, Ohio, in the 20th century. Items to be treated include a plat map of the planned community of Berwick, as well as a 1948 land use map documenting the city prior to the development of the interstate highway system.

Congregation Mishkan Or has proposed using grant funds to conserve a Passover Haggadah written in Hebrew and Yiddish and published in Venice in 1663. A Haggadah is the liturgical text used by Jews in the celebration of the Seder, the meal at the heart of the Passover holiday. This particular Haggadah is part of Congregation Mishkan Or's Harold Greenbaum Collection, comprised of more than 200 books, including 88 Haggadot (pl.), dating from the 15th - 20th centuries.

Fairport Harbor Public Library is using their grant award to conserve two oil paintings by Fairport Harbor folk artist William Vaino Perry (1882-1967). Perry was noted for his maritime and regional subject matter. His work helps illustrate the history of Fairport Harbor as well as the influence the many Finnish immigrants had on the community in the early 20th century.

Hudson Library & Historical Society was awarded funding to conserve two paintings by Hudson artist and naturalist Alfred Pettingell (1837-1914). Known as "The Audubon of Hudson," Pettingell dedicated himself to the exploration and documentation of the natural world and his passion for ecology earned him national recognition.

International Women's Air & Space Museum will use LSTA funds to conserve an Edwardian afternoon dress of white cotton lawn with machine-made lace and thread-wrapped bone or horn buttons owned by the Wright Brothers' sister, Katharine Wright-Haskell. Katharine was one of the first women to emerge as a leader in business and was considered the face of the Wright Brothers' business, conducting meetings in their absence with investors, royalty, and politicians.

Kenyon College has been provided grant funding to conserve the first volume of their Matriculation books as well as four 19th Century photo albums created by former students: Joseph Harter - class of 1862, Charles Wetmore - class of 1869, J. Lewis Browne - class of 1864, and David D. Benedict - class of 1856.

Miami University will use LSTA funds to preserve the suit, shoes, and accessories worn by the early 20th century Miami University "superfan" Harry Thobe. In addition to being employed by Miami University, Thobe was a regular fixture at Miami football games at a time when the school was establishing itself as the "Cradle of Coaches."

Oak Harbor Public Library will take advantage of LSTA grant funds to support the conservation of blacksmithing bellows from the late 19th century. The bellows was used in a blacksmith shop owned by L.D. Link who had purchased the shop from the former blacksmith Charles Leow. The bellows has been stored in various locations over the years and is now being treated in preparation for public display.

Oakwood Historical Society will use their LSTA grant award to preserve a landscape plan/map prepared by the Olmstead Brothers landscape design firm in 1907 (revised 1912). As an artifact this plan illustrates the design elements Olmstead firm, favoring green spaces and planned neighborhoods, while capturing a snapshot of Oakwood's history at a time when the Dayton area was on the cutting edge of many technological advancements.

Ohio Wesleyan University Libraries was provided funding to conserve the five most at-risk oversized plate volumes of the "Description of Egypt (Panckoucke edition)." These volumes are part of a larger set of works commissioned by Napoleon with the intention of systematically documenting Egypt as it was between 1798 and 1801.

Rocky River Public Library is using LSTA grant funds to conserve three flower frog figurines produced by the Cowan Pottery Studio. These figurines are part of a rich tradition of ceramic work and artistry in Ohio and represent the unique partnership that the Rocky River Public Library has with the Cowan Pottery Museum.

Shaker Historical Society was awarded funding to conserve a mid-20th century firefighter's helmet from the Shaker Heights Fire Department. The helmet belonged to William Pickford, a World War II navy veteran who served as a Lieutenant from 1956-1964 and later as Fire Chief from 1974-1984. In addition to being a unique item in its own right, the helmet helps tell the story of many veterans who found their way into civil service after their time in the military.

Westerville Public Library proposed conserving a 50"h x 64"w original 1856 map of Franklin County, Ohio, by John Graham. The map details the eighteen townships located within Franklin County along with several areas specifically focusing on Westerville.

Wright State University Libraries has selected four items from their extensive Wright Brothers Collection for conservation. These items were noted for having particular value to researchers in telling the story of the Wright family. These include Orville Wright's botany sketchbook from 1887-1888, Bishop Milton Wright's 1903 diary, the French Legion of Honor Palm and Olive Leaf Decoration awarded to Katharine Wright in 1924, and a copy of Octave Chanute's Progress in Flying Machines (1894).


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Marsha McDevitt-Stredney
Director, Marketing & Communications
State Library of Ohio
274 E. 1st Avenue
Columbus, OH 43201
Tel: 614.644.6875
marshams at library.ohio.gov<mailto:marshams at library.ohio.gov>
library.ohio.gov<https://library.ohio.gov/>

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