Building a new museum from the ground up requires site planning and architecture design, but it also requires artifacts for exhibits to fill the museum — a process that starts with simply making a list.
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Senior Curator Dr. Thomas Davidson said the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, when complete, will be filled with about 500 artifacts that will be purchased, donated or borrowed. Construction activities on the museum are underway; it is expected to open in 2016.
Earlier this month, the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation unveiled the cornerstone to the museum in a ceremony.
“You start with an acquisition list … what story you are going to tell,” he said.
The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Inc.’s Board of Directors approves the list and then sets about acquiring the items. JYF, Inc. is the nonprofit arm of the foundation; it purchases the items and then donates them to the state-run JYF.
Within the last four years, about 70 items have been acquired for the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown and are on exhibit in “Jamestown’s Legacy to the American Revolution” at Jamestown Settlement. The 200 items that currently fill the Yorktown Victory Center will be carried over; 230 items still need to be acquired.
The museum uses a variety of different outlets to get the artifacts: auctions, brokers, antique malls or sales, donations and borrowed items.
Among the purchased items so far are an 18th century yarn winder from Cold Harbor Antiques Mall in Mechanicsville, a Worcester soft paste porcelain cup and saucer from Juno Antiques in London, and a Pennsylvania bowback Windsor high chair from Northeast Auctions in New Hampshire..
Davidson said when the museum looks at an item for sale or auction, research is done to verify the item is authentic and the quality is scrutinized. If something is damaged or falling apart, it’s not suited for an exhibit. Alternately, some items may be purchased with less-than-perfect quality due to rarity.
A Chinese plate is part of the collection bound for Yorktown; it bears the design of the Society of The Cincinnati, the oldest private patriotic society in the country, established in 1783. The design, in the center of the plate, is visible and distinguishable, but is worn.
Because certain items are so hard to find, one item might replace another on the list; a teapot may become a coffee pot.
While it’s preferred to own all artifacts in an exhibit, lending and borrowing items between museums is a regular occurrence and is necessary to fill exhibits when specific items cannot be found or are not in good condition.
As preservation is considered of utmost importance, the artifacts destined for permanent exhibition at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown will be continually cared for.
“We don’t want to use up these artifacts in our lifetime, we want them to be here for generations to come,” Davidson said.
The JYF, Inc. is responsible for raising money to support artifact conservation and preservation and education efforts. An annual fund comprises donations received throughout the year, which are used at Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center. The fund can also be used for the new American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.
Donations are solicited through a variety of outlets: friends and family are asked, mailers are sent out and phone calls are made trying to garner support. Donors also happen upon the cause by visiting the museums.
Challenge grants and other donation challenges play a key role in inciting and increasing donations.
“It increases what you’re doing … it does give you cause to try to do it if you can while a challenge is going on,” said Sue Gerdelman, president of the JYF, Inc. Board of Directors.
Currently a challenge grant from the Mary Morton Parsons Foundation is taking place for the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, as is a donation challenge called the Baker Victory Challenge for the annual fund.
The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation challenge grant will match $250,000 if $500,000 is raised by November this year. The Hampton Roads Community Foundation awarded a $250,000 grant for the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, pushing the total amount raised to $362,000 toward the $500,000 goal.
“I think people like the idea that their support is really leveraging other support, said Julie Basic, senior director of development for JYF, Inc.
The Baker Victory Challenge will match up to $100,000 of any new or increased annual fund donation of $500 or more. For increased matches, if a person made a donation of $250 last year and increases their donation to $500 this year, Don and Linda Baker will match the increase of $250.
“Don and I support the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation and its mission because we have a keen interest in the history of our nation and recognize the significance of the Historic Triangle in the interpretation of that story,” Linda Baker said in a statement. “Our roles as volunteers – in the fields of history, culture and community service – include sharing and promoting those ideals and, by our example (we hope), encouraging others to participate. The Baker Victory Challenge is one such initiative, and we are delighted with and grateful for the response.”
People interested in donating to the annual fund or to the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, specifically, should visit the JYF website and click on the “Giving” tab.
Admission tickets to Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center can be purchased online. Admission is free for residents of James City County, York County and the City of Williamsburg with proof of residency.
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