Archive for January, 2011

2011 Australian Floods – Current Status of Galleries Libraries Archives and Museums

The rains from 23 December through to mid-January have resulted in exceptional flooding in many parts of central and southern Queensland as well as Victoria and parts of northern New South Wales. As these floods had the potential to pose potential risks for heritage institutions in these areas CAN approached its Partner institutions in flood affected areas to ascertain if they had sustained any damage to their buildings or collections.

Much of the ground work has already been done by the Australian Library Information Association, the Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material, Museums Australia, MA Nexus Q-Dis and particularly Museum & Gallery Services Queensland who provided the material for most of this list. CAN would also like to acknowledge the work of all those involved in putting together this information to enable the following list to be compiled.

Download the Google map based on most of the data

A pdf of the following list 2011 Flood Galleries Libraries Museums Archives

Artisan Gallery
21/1 – OK at Fortitude Valley but the South Bank store is still without power and will remain closed for another week.
From the artisan blog

Australian Catholic University Gallery
OK
Email from CAN

Brookfield District Museum
Flooding in surrounding areas, but the Museum and Showgrounds are OK.
Phone conversation with M&GSQ

Commissariat Store Museum
15/1 – Water main burst in front of the building itself, took out the 1913 concrete retaining wall, which in turn caused the collapse of the convict-built retaining wall at the back of the Store. The falling debris punched a hole in the back wall of The Store itself. No damage to any of our collection, and everything in the building is secure. No flood water has entered the Store at all, though there is mud all through the yard from the burst water main, and rubble on the ground floor.

20/1 – Still no power. Cement block from retaining wall will be removed shortly, then repairs to the building can start. Collection is safe. Museum will hopefully reopen in approx 6 months.
From email Carolyn Nolan, President RHSQ, posted to Q-DIS.
Phone conversation with M&GSQ and Christina Michie, RHSQ

Cultural Centre, Brisbane (incl. QM, QAG | GoMA, SLQ, QPAC)
All State collections are fine. The assessment of damage and safety issues from flooding to lower levels and carparks, clean up and phased reinstatement of services is now underway.

21/1 – Queensland Museum, Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, State Library of Qld, Queensland Performing Arts Centre buildings at South Bank remain closed to the public until further notice, following the recent flood.
Update from Arts Qld on Q-DIS

Customs House
OK
Phone call Deannah Veith, MOB Heritage Officer

Mercy Heritage Centre
OK
Phone conversation with M&GSQ

Minerals Heritage Museum
OK. Water went to the bottom of their stairs.
Phone conversation with M&GSQ

Miegunyah House Museum
OK
Deannah Veith
Museum of Brisbane
Museum is OK. The collection at Moorooka is OK as well.
Phone conversation with M&GSQ

Newstead House
OK
Deannah Veith

Nundah & District Historical Society
OK
Phone conversation with M&GSQ

Old Government House
OK
Phone conversation with M&GSQ

QCA Gallery
OK
Email from CAN

Queensland Maritime Museum
15/1 – Diamantina floated clear of her blocks and 2 small leaks were subsequently detected – a pocket of air was trapped in Carpentaria and she has rolled to a 45 deg angle. The Museum experienced approximately 30cm water through the ground floor admin and displays. The workshops and boat display experienced approx 10cm flooding. There has been an extensive deposit of mud everywhere.

20/1 -Open to the public.
Email from Ian Jempson, posted to Q-DiS Phone conversation with M&GSQ

Queensland Police Museum
OK
Q-DIS

QUT Art Museum
OK
Phone conversation with M&GSQ

UQ Antiquities Museum collection
Located in the basement of the Art Museum and is being monitored as any time without air conditioning and air circulation increases the risk of mould developing.
Update from Kath Kerswell, Collection Coordinator, UQ Art Museum posted to Q-DIS

UQ Art Museum
The UQ Art Museum Collection is fine.
Update from Kath Kerswell, Collection Coordinator, UQ Art Museum posted to Q-DIS

Victoria Barracks Historical Society- Fortitude Valley
OK but closed for a month while collections are returned.
Deannah Veith

Windsor & District Historical Society
OK
Phone conversation with M&GSQ

Abbey Museum of Art & Archaeology
OK
Phone conversation with M&GSQ

Caboolture Historical Village – including Restoration Society
OK, no damage
Info from CAN & phone call with M&GSQ

Pine Rivers Art Gallery
OK
Phone conversation with M&GSQ

Tamborine Mt. Heritage Centre
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Ipswich Art Gallery
OK
Phone conversation with M&GSQ

Ipswich Historical Society
OK
Phone conversation with M&GSQ

Workshops Rail Museum
OK
Email to M&GSQ

USQ Historical Archives
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Athlone Cottage, Jandowae
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Australian Education Heritage Museum, Toowoomba (soon to be opened to public)
Water entered their storage building and display area. Some larger museum artefacts in the display area got wet but these will only need cleaning.
In the storage building, water seeped in and soaked boxes of books and papers, some paintings, furniture and display structures. These are currently being dried out.
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Booringa Heritage Museum at Mitchell
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Bowenville Park History & Heritage Association, railway building
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Catholic Church Archives ( TMBA)
Fine
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Charleville Historical Society
No news

Chinchilla Museum
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Chinchilla White Gums Gallery
OK
Phone conversation with M&GSQ

Cobb & Co Changing Station at Surat
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Cobb & Co Museum
1 foot of water through the new section of the building flooding the coffee shop, book shop and the factory. Fortunately the collections are all ok.
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Crows Nest Historical Society
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Customs House Musuem, Goondiwindi
OK
Phone conversation with M&GSQ

Dalby Pioneer Park Museum
Grounds flooded but buildings and collection OK
Info From CAN

Dalby Regional Gallery
OK
Phone conversation with M&GSQ

Dawson Folk Museum, Theodore
Collection is fine
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Dogwood Crossing @ Miles
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

DownsSteam Tourist Railway & Museum
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Gatton & District Historical Society Inc,
OK
Report form CAN & C Ianna

Glennie School Archive
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Goondiwindi & District Historical Society
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Highfields Pioneer Village
Minor damage to the grounds but the collections are fine.
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Inglewood & District Historical Society
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Juandah Homestead, Wandoan
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Leyburn Historical Society
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Maclagan Memories Museum
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Main Roads Heritage Centre, Toowoomba
Some mould in the collections on display. No damage to collections stored at Darra, Barcaldine and Cairns
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Meandarra ANZAC Memorial Museum
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Miles Historical Village
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Millmerran Museum
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Milne Bay Military Museum
Had some roof leaks but the collection is fine
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Museum of Australian Army Flying
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Nobby Forge & Vintage Museum
Isolated but collection is fine
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Nobby Heritage & Development Assoc.’s Hall and Railway Station buildings
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Oakey Historical Museum Society
OK
Phone conversation with M&GSQ

Pittsworth Pioneer Village
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Roma and District Historical Society
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

t. George Heritage Centre
21/1 – Still on tender hooks. The water has come up as far as the blacksmith building, and around the steam engine. All the low artefacts have been moved up and they are now waiting for the second peak.
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

St Vincent's Hospital Archives
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Tara & District Historical Museum
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Templin Historical Village at Boonah
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Texas Historical Society
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Toowoomba & Darling Downs Family History Society
The collection is fine. Some trouble with the earth wall, collapsed three times since Christmas, cascading mud and gravel across their property, up the ramp, and under the building. This blocked the main drain and undermined their tank, which is leaning with its down pipe broken. In addition, a Council drain pipe that runs under the footpath developed a leak and the footpath immediately beside their driveway caved in and water eroded under their driveway.
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Toowoomba Fire Brigade Historical Society
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Toowoomba First Aid & Ambulance History Group
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Toowoomba Grammar Museum & Archive
Fine
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Toowoomba Historical Society
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Toowoomba Hospital Medicine & Medical Museum
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Toowoomba Local History Library
6 litres of water in their archive room. They lost 8 items, mostly from the 1990s. All under control now.
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

USQ Historical Archives
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Warwick Art Gallery
Activated their disaster plan twice. OK
Email to M&GSQ

Gympie Gold Mining & Historical Museum
One room flooded; collection moved out and yet to be put back; damage to be confirmed
Phone call M&GSQ

Gympie Regional Gallery
OK, no damage
Phone call M&GSQ

Valley Rattler – Mary Valley Heritage Railway Museum Association
Damage to railway line $4000; now operating again but loss to revenue stream due to reduced patronage
Phone call M&GSQ

Woodworks Forestry & Timber Museum
OK
Phone call M&GSQ

Wondai Gallery
OK
Phone conversation with M&GSQ

Wondai Museum
OK
Email Vicki Warden, posted to Q-DIS

Australian Sugar Cane Railway
Damage to tracks; train can't operate; train station and storage shed flooded
Phone call M&GSQ

Bundaberg & District Historical & Museum Society Inc.
OK – no water in museums but Botannical Gardens flooded & lots of damage
Phone call M&GSQ

Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery
OK
Phone call M&GSQ

Fairymead House Sugar Museum
OK
Phone call M&GSQ

Hinkler House Memorial Museum and Research Association Inc.
OK
Phone call M&GSQ

Hinkler Hall of Aviation
OK
Phone call M&GSQ

Brennan & Geraghty's Store Museum
Above flood level but has experienced moisture being drawn up into the building through the ground – this dried out through the museum being open.
Post Ken Brooks, Q-DIS

Grand Shirl's Doll Museum
Above flood level
Post Ken Brooks, Q-DIS

Historic Baddow House
Situated above the flood level but has minimal damage to gardens.
Post Ken Brooks, Q-DIS

Mavis Bank House
Situated close to the river and had water near its ground level – most of the problems were from humidity.
Post Ken Brooks, Q-DIS

Military & Colonial Museum
OK
Post Ken Brooks, Q-DIS

The Bond Store Museum
The Bond Store Museum had the lower level innundated but items were removed, damage cleanup is mostly in removing mud
Post Ken Brooks, Q-DIS

Banana Shire Historical Society
OK, no damage
Phone call M&GSQ

Baralaba History Group
OK
Post Bronwyn Roper, MDO C QLD, Q-DIS

Biloela Library Art Space
OK, no damage
Phone call M&GSQ

Capricorn Coast Historical Society
OK
Post Bronwyn Roper, MDO C QLD, Q-DIS

CQ Family History Association
OK
Post Bronwyn Roper, MDO C QLD, Q-DIS

CQ University Art Collection
OK Facilitlies managment sandbagged and moved collection items to next level but water did not enter building.
Email Holly Grech-Fitzgerald
CQ University Art Collection Officer

Dawson Folk Museum, Theodore
Collection is fine
Post Bronwyn Roper, MDO C QLD, Q-DIS

Emerald Art Gallery
OK
Phone call M&GSQ

Emerald & District Historical Society
The pioneer cottage housing the museum displays just survived the rising floodwaters with water up to the floorboards but not coming inside. A shipping container holding some objects did go under.
Post Bronwyn Roper, MDO C QLD, Q-DIS

Gladstone Maritime Museum
OK
Post Bronwyn Roper, MDO C QLD, Q-DIS

Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum
OK
Post Bronwyn Roper, MDO C QLD, Q-DIS

Joskeleigh Soth Sea Islander Museum
OK
Post Bronwyn Roper, MDO C QLD, Q-DIS

Moura Coal and Country Historical Society
OK
Post Bronwyn Roper, MDO C QLD, Q-DIS

Mt Morgan Museum
OK
Post Bronwyn Roper, MDO C QLD, Q-DIS

Rockhampton & District Historical Society
The council placed pumps under the floorboards and sandbagged/sealed doors, vents, etc which kept water out of the inside even though it rose to about 30cm above floor level. Need to monitor the collection for mould etc over the coming weeks.

18/1 – The power is still disconnected and some cleaning will need to be done before the collection is put back into place. Council has already pressure-cleaned the verandahs and laid gravel around the building so it is accessible without having to slip and slide through mud. This will enable some of the older volunteers to return safely to the site as well.
Post Bronwyn Roper, MDO C QLD, Q-DIS

Sarina Museum
OK
Post Bronwyn Roper, MDO C QLD, Q-DIS

Taroom Museum
OK
Post Bronwyn Roper, MDO C QLD, Q-DIS

Casterton & District Historical Society
OK
CAN

Warracknabeal Historic Centre
OK
CAN

Rochester Historical & Pioneer Museum
Of the four buildings 3 have had knee water flow through them. All the best colections have been moved to the unaffected fourth building. The local Council has been cleaning buildings with volunteers and help from Echucah Historical Society. The Machinery and wagons are being dried out and paper based frozen in glad wrap.
CAN

Echuca Historical Society
?
CAN

Port Echuca
?
CAN

Shepparton Art Gallery
OK
CAN

Shepparton Historical Society
OK
CAN

Glenelg Libraries
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Central Highlands Regional Library Clunes
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Warracknabeal Branch Library
FD
Australian Library Information Association

Goldfields Library Corporation
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Dept of Premier and Cabinet Library Brisbane
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Fairfield Brisbane City Council Libraries
FD
Australian Library Information Association

New Farm Brisbane City Council Libraries
FD
Australian Library Information Association

Stones Corner Brisbane City Council Libraries
FD
Australian Library Information Association

Central Queensland University Library Brisbane
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Australian Catholic University
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Queensland University of Technology
OK
Australian Library Information Association

CSIRO Libraries Cunningham Library
OK
Australian Library Information Association

CSIRO Libraries Pullenvale
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Southbank Institute of Tafe library
OK
Australian Library Information Association

State Library of Queensland
FD
Australian Library Information Association

Thomas Dixon Centre Brisbane
OK
Australian Library Information Association

CSIRO Libraries Dutton Park
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Giffith University Conservatorium of Music library
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Griffith University College of Art library
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Logan City Council Libraries
OK

Australian Library Information Association
CSIRO Libraries Cleveland
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Central Queensland University Library Gold Coast
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Bond University
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Esk Library
FD
Australian Library Information Association

Laidley Library
FD
Australian Library Information Association

Gatton Library
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Toowoomba Hospital Medicine & Medical Museum
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Darling Downs Catholic Church Archives
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Toowoomba Australian Education Heritage Museum
FD
Australian Library Information Association

Toowoomba Local History Library
FD
Australian Library Information Association

Leyburn Historical Society
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Warwick Library
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Goondiwindi Library
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Western Downs Regional Library Chinchilla Dalby
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Western Downs Regional Library Moonie
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Western Downs Regional Library Jandowae
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Western Downs Regional Library Bell
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Western Downs Regional Library Dogwood Crossing
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Western Downs Regional Library Meandarra
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Fraser Coast Regional Library Tiaro
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Fraser Coast Regional Library Hervey Bay
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Fraser Coast Regional Library Howard
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Fraser Coast Regional Library Burrum Heads
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Bundaberg Regional Library Service
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Central Queensland University Library Bundaberg
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Central Queensland University Library Gladstone
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Central Queensland University Library Rockhapmton
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Central Queensland University Library Emerald
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Emerald Shire Library
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Central Queensland University Library Mackay
OK
Australian Library Information Association

Townsville City Libraries
OK
Australian Library Information Association

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2011 Disaster Management – Conservation Resources

There are numerous sites from across the Galleries Libraries Archives and Museum sector offering advice on how to deal with water damage and CAN has compiled a list of some of these below.

NOTE: advice on the correct handling of water damaged photographs by freezing while sound for paper based photographs is not correct for glass plate negatives.

• Advise on stabilising and drying methods from the NSW State Records office
http://www.records.nsw.gov.au/recordkeeping/government-recordkeeping-manual/guidance/guidelines/guideline-5/guideline-5-appendix-6

• Library of Congress – Emergency drying procedures for water damaged collections

• Sate Library of Queensland Salvaging water damaged collections

• Conservation Centre For Art and Historical Artefacts – Salvaging art on paper

• Conservation Centre For Art and Historical Artefacts – Salvaging books

• Conservation Centre For Art and Historical Artefacts – Salvaging photographic collections

• American Institute of Conservation – Salvaging photographs after the flood

• AICCM – Information, Factsheets on salvaging keepsakes and records after floods

• The Image Permanence Institute – A consumer guide for the recovery of water-damaged traditional and digital prints

• National Archives of Australia – Recovering flood damaged records

• National Archives (USA) – Saving family treasures guidelines

• National Film & Sound Archive – Stabilising audiovisual objects affected by floods

• Canadian Heritage Emergency Treatment of Water-Damaged Paintings on Canvas

• American Institute of Conservation – Tips for the Care for Water-Damaged Family Heirlooms and Other Valuables

• American Institute of Conservation – Salvaging Water Damaged Textiles
• U.S. National Park Centre – Emergency treatment for water soaked furniture

• Northeast documentation centre http://www.nedcc.org/resources/leaflets/3Emergency_Management/08SalvageMoldyBooks.php

Another useful resource is the book just published by Heritage Preservation Implementing the Incident Command System at the Institutional Level: A Handbook for Libraries, Archives, Museums, and Other Cultural Repositories, by David Carmicheal, Director of the Georgia Division of Archives and History, and published in cooperation with RescuingRecords.com.

YouTube & Video Conservation Resources of Interest

Smithsonian how to remove your photographs from a sticky album

Smithsonian how to store your photographs

Salem Witch Museum repairing water damage to old masonry

Salem Witch Museum Restoration Project: Roger Tremblay demonstrates casting stone

Cleaning water damaged mobile phone LCD

How to fix a wet cell phone

Heritage Conservation U.S. – Coping with Water Damage 10 min video for museums archives and libraries

Disaster Management Plans

• Unesco disaster Recovery Plan

• A Disaster Recovery Plan for The Australian National Herbarium
Canberra May 2008 A. Newey, B. Lepschi & J.Croft

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