Ordovician Collection Inventory
To provide better organization and analysis of archaeological collections, allowing for greater public access to historic resources.
$4,500,000 the first year and $6,500,000 the second year are for history programs and projects operated or conducted by or through local, county, regional, or other historical or cultural organizations or for activities to preserve significant historic and cultural resources. Funds are to be distributed through a competitive grant process. The Minnesota Historical Society must administer these funds using established grant mechanisms, with assistance from the advisory committee created under Laws 2009, chapter 172, article 4, section 2, subdivision 4, paragraph (b), item (ii).
Available upon request. grants@mnhs.org
Short Term: Complete inventory of the Ordovician Collection
This was accomplished and can be seen with the addition of 6,884 new paleontological specimens in our PastPerfect database.
Intermediate Term: A complete inventory of all of our natural history collections.
We are making strides towards this goal. Based on the specimens inventoried previously and this project, we estimate to have approximately 12,000 out of 40,000 natural history-related specimens inventoried. The first 5,000 or so specimens were part of a previous grant and the remaining specimens are part of different private or field collections outside the purview of this grant.
Long Term: A better long-range plan for the conservation and preparation of our natural history specimens.
This goal is also ongoing. By having great intellectual control over our natural history specimens, thanks in large part to this grant, we can better identify key fossils for display or preparation. We also now have a better idea of the storage equipment we need to continue to house these specimens in accordance with current best museum standards.
Available upon request, grants@mnhs.org
Jackie Corradi-Simon, Vice-Chair
Robin Harkonen, Treasurer
Carmen Bradach, Secretary
Dan Vidmar
Jessalyn Sabin
Craig Hattam
Michael Fredeen