Background

With more than 350 parks and 116 million items, the National Park Service (NPS) has one of the largest museum collections in the world. The NPS is contracting with the Academy to review collection storage practices as identified in its 2007 Park Museum Collection Storage Plan. The NPS seeks to assess the current state of its storage of museum and archival collections and its ability to achieve current and future objectives for budget and resource sustainability while simultaneously meeting curatorial standards for preservation, public access, historical documentation, and cultural sensitivity.

Project Description

The Academy will develop findings and recommendations to maintain and improve current and future efficiency of collection storage and examine the National Park Service Facility Investment Strategy, the Park Museum Facility Management Plan, and the Park Museum Collection Storage Plan. 

The Academy Panel and study team will review issues including, but not limited to:

• Budget constraints;
• Roles and responsibilities, and authorities as it pertains to the collection and storage between headquarters, regions, and parks;
• Data and the ability to track elements of the collection;
• Incomplete collection cataloging; and
• Comparative metrics (if possible to identify) with other museums of similar profile as NPS.

The Academy’s assessment will conclude in October 2020.