Cataloguing continues at the museum

July 1, 2010

Cataloguing of the museum’s artifacts is not as simple as it might seem. With some 15,000 items (some with many parts and components) to number, photograph, and record in detail, the task is monumental to say the least. “All of the 15,000 museum artifacts are now numbered and recorded on paper,” explained Cathy Traicus, one of the three museum employees. “But only 1300 of these are entered into the system.”

The system is TMS – The Museum Software database. Staff received formal training on the database earlier this year and the cataloguing commenced in March. “It’s a very long process,” commented museum co-ordinator Kimberly Teuscher, at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “It takes time to upload to the server and link it all. But we’re getting there.”

The system currently contains the over 1000 milk bottles in the collection. The beauty of TMS is the transition from active database to an on-line e-museum. A virtual snapshot of the system is captured and uploaded to the website, where visitors can access the artifacts from the comfort of their homes. As more items are added to TMS, the e-museum will grow.

In the meantime, the detailed cataloguing and photographing continues. When asked which item stands out most in her mind, Kim replied, “All of the little surprises when opening the boxes in the basement. The top hat. And the wax cylinder, used for recording.”

The system has had its share of challenges, too. Just the sheer volume of the items in the collection and having to start from scratch would be challenge enough. But before the staff could even begin the cataloguing of the items, they had to first establish the numbering system to use and then create the set of policies needed for the work.

Kim Teuscher, hired as a contract worker last May, recently accepted a permanent position with Gay Lea Foods as the Museum Co-ordinator. Kim’s main goals are to catalogue the museum’s collection, create educational programs, co-ordinate exhibits in the museum, and act as community liaison with other museums. Kim’s previous museum experience includes museum aid at the Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Site in Hyde Park, New York, and assistant conservator at Maryland Archaeological Conservation laboratory in St. Leonard, Maryland.

Other staff at the museum include Museum Assistants Cathy Traicus and Nikki Scott. Their roles are to enter the cataloguing information into TMS (Cathy does a lot of this) and help with the design and setup of exhibits. Nikki, a recent graduate from the Applied Museum Studies program at Algonquin College in Ottawa, has been invaluable designing exhibits and also making information panels for visitors to read while they tour the museum.

The museum employees continue to plan future exhibits and programs, and are looking forward to incorporating the nature aspect of the property with the museum.

They are also looking forward to visitors this summer, including a 4-H Club that is expected in July. If you are looking for something educational and fun to do this summer, take a drive to Malahide Township. You won’t be disappointed.

< Back to News