BUFFALO - The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site has been awarded an Honorable Mention in the Heritage Advocate Award competition, sponsored by Heritage Preservation, a national non-profit organization, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a federal agency.  One of six organizations to receive this distinction, the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site was selected based on an outstanding project that educates the public about the risks faced by collections and the importance of appropriate care to protect these treasures.

The path to this recognition began in May, 2010, when Curator Lenora Henson attended a Raising the Bar Workshop in Baltimore, Maryland, sponsored by Heritage Preservation and IMLS.  She subsequently used tips from the workshop to develop a new Behind-the-Scenes tour series at the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site.

All Behind-the-Scenes tours are led by Henson and start by bringing participants into the collections storage area.  Visitors then enjoy an exclusive and "up close" look at artifacts relating to the tour's specific theme.  For instance, the first tour to be developed was entitled Theodore Roosevelt: Tales & Treasures.  Among other artifacts, it highlights a number of rare objects that commemorate Theodore Roosevelt's unusual 1901 inauguration.  Tour content also includes detailed discussion of collections management issues and challenges.  The series has proven very popular and reaction to the tours has been enthusiastic.  Two new tours, Buffalo's Pan-American Exposition: Souvenirs & Stories and The Wilcox Family: In Their Own Words, are being introduced in 2011.  More information about the tour series can be found here.

"The two award winners and six honorable mentions came from large cities and small towns," said Lawrence Reger, President of Heritage Preservation.  "In every case, their commitment to their collections and enthusiasm for involving their communities will serve as an inspiration to other museums and libraries across the nation."

"The Behind-the-Scenes tours have not only helped to promote a better understanding of and appreciation for collections care, but have also provided a modest income for collections care projects at the TR Site and increased audience interest in its collections," said Curator Lenora Henson.

The Heritage Advocate Awards are part of Connecting to Collections: A Call to Action, a multi-faceted national initiative of the IMLS.  Museums, libraries and archives in the Mid-Atlantic and in the Midwest were invited to attend workshops at which experts worked with participants on ideas for media relations, public outreach and fund-raising on behalf of collections care.  Public fascination with conservation can be an untapped resource; the goal of the workshops was to demonstrate how to use conservation issues to broaden funding and public appeal.  In order to encourage participants to put what they learned into action, all were encouraged to conduct a project at their home institution, with the most successful receiving this award.  First place was awarded to the Missouri State Museum in Jefferson City, Missouri, and the Muscoot Farm in Katonah, New York.

About Heritage Preservation - Heritage Preservation is a national non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the cultural, historic, and scientific heritage of the United States.  By identifying risks, developing innovative programs, and providing broad public access to expert advice, Heritage Preservation assists the museums, libraries, archives, organizations, and individuals that care for our endangered heritage.  To learn more, please visit: www.heritagepreservation.org

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services- The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums.  The Institutes's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas.  The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development.  To learn more about the Institute, please visit: www.imls.gov