(Courtesy of Jewish Historical Society of North Jersey) The Jewish Historical Society of North Jersey was awarded a grant from the National Council for the Humanities: The Preservation Assistance Grant for Smaller Institutions. This particular grant helps small and mid-sized libraries, museums, historical societies, archival repositories, cultural organizations, town and county records offices and colleges and universities improve their ability to preserve and care for their significant humanities collections. The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is a federal agency that supports research and learning in history, literature, philosophy and other areas of the humanities by funding selected peer-reviewed proposals from around the nation.
Board member Alison Faubert said, “I am so pleased. This is a very competitive grant. It is confirmation of the really amazing good work of our founders in 1982, that continues to this day with devoted volunteers, generous donors and an active supportive membership. We are a history society with a bright future. It was the perfect time to address preservation policies and goals.”
Dyani Fiege, the director of preservation services for the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts, traveled from Philadelphia to visit the Fair Lawn headquarters of the society. Fiege spent the day with staff and board members in the collection storage areas and exhibit rooms, examining the historical society’s current practices and future preservation needs. The $6,000 NEH grant paid for a pre-visit survey, the visit of this expert and a full report she will make to the society of her findings.
“The kind of things Ms. Fiege looked at ranged from the policies of who can use what and where, how papers and artifacts are stored, to the nitty gritty of pests and mold, which we were happy not to have!” said Faubert. “She researched building maintenance and security and the temperature, humidity and light where the collection is stored and displayed.”
Marty Feitlowitz, a JHSNJ vice-president, said he “was impressed by Ms. Feige’s knowledge of mechanical and fire suppressions available to protect our archival storage areas. She presented options, knowing that our budget would require economically effective solutions.”
The society’s treasurer, Debbie Grossman, was impressed by the need for disaster planning. “Ms. Feige’s discussion of disaster situations and disaster plans, whether water or fire, was something I don’t ever remember having been discussed and was important to have been brought to our attention.”
“I am the archivist of JHSNJ and it was wonderful to collaborate with a preservation expert,” said Stephanie Diorio, “on protecting our collection and, most importantly, prioritizing our needs.”
Executive director Joy Kurland commented, “Ms. Feige provided us with a greater understanding of what priorities need to be considered in the successful implementation of a comprehensive preservation plan and we look forward to the report. The report takes approximately four to six weeks to be completed, but it is expected to be the blueprint for several years of preservation work.”
The society opens its doors to visitors, scholars, researchers and students on Monday and Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and at other times by appointment. It is located at 17-10 River Road, Suite 3A, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410. For information, call 201-300-6590, email [email protected] or visit jhsnj.wordpress.com.jhsnj.wordpress.com.
