The Musselshell Valley Historical Museum received an $8,000.00 grant in the summer of 2023 to invite two certified assessors to evaluate our museum and give suggestions for improvement. The grant was from the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation (FAIC). The grant was called a Collections Assessment for Preservation (CAP) Grant. We were able to hire two assessors to come to Roundup to assess the museum. Rachel Waters came from Estes Park, CO and Kyle Normandin came from New Jersey. Rachel assessed the collections and displays of the museum. Kyle assessed the buildings and grounds. Their site visit took place on November 6-7, 2023.

They were both impressed with the fact we are an independent and volunteer run organization. They told us that our museum is better setup than many museums they have seen that have paid staff.

The positive aspects are that the facility is in good condition; quality of the collection is excellent; exhibits are organized and well maintained; we have done a great job with signage and curating spaces.

Recommendations that we need to work on is a longer list: ADA accessibility; archival padded hangars for clothing; increase security including lighting in some areas; even more signage; repair cracking steps on the north side; recaulk open joists along ledges; repair cracked and spalled concrete; transition to LED light sources; consider new boiler unit and HVAC system; invest in a fire suppression system; and rotate the collections. There are a few more suggestions we will share later.

Many of these improvements will require funding. We are working on some grants and looking at different ways we can find funding.

We have made several changes during this offseason. We are improving both bathrooms. The Men’s restroom will be somewhat improved. The Women’s restroom is now an ADA unisex restroom. It is larger and meets ADA requirements. There will only be one person in that restroom, unless it is another family member.

We have a bid to put in a stair lift and are seeking grants for that project.

The hangars have been updated and the clothing collection is being evaluated.

We have added items to the Chapel display including some Priest’s robes and a Knights of Columbus uniform.

We are finally working on a Klein exhibit, which we have been looking at for several years. We added some pelts to the Tack Room. The Nez Perce display will return for the upcoming season.

I mentioned in the last article that we will be making changes to the Dino Depot.

Some of our board members attended the Montana Association of Museums annual conference, in Lewistown and came away with some great ideas.

Come visit us this season and find out how you can help us make it a better museum.

We will be open from 1-5 seven days a week from May 1 – September 30.