Current trends in historic house museums -- Is this your house museum? -- Legal and ethical issues -- The decision-making process -- Making the transition -- Eight solutions explained -- Case study : study houses : historic New England -- Case study : reprogram for mission-based use : Nantucket Historical Association -- Case studies : co-stewardship agreements : historic Adams House : Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust -- Case studies : asset transfer and merger : Margaret Mitchell House and Museum and the Atlanta History Center : Cliveden of the National Trust and Historic Upsala Foundation -- Case study : Long-term leases : Hazelwood of the Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission -- Case studies : short-term leases : Heritage Branch, British Columbia Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services : Fairmount Park Historic Preservation Trust -- Case studies : sale to a private owner with easements : Elfreth's Alley Association : Robert E. Lee boyhood home -- Case studies : sale to a nonprofit stewardship organization : Casa Amesti Foundation : Heurich House Foundation -- Case study : donation to a governmental entity : Adel Historical Association -- Conclusion
Summary
"A generational shift is occurring at historic house museums as board members and volunteers retire while few young people step forward to take their place. These landmarks are also plagued by serious deferred maintenance, and many have no endowment funds. What will happen to these sites in the next ten years, and what can be done to assure their continued preservation for generations to come? In New Solutions for House Museums, Donna Ann Harris examines possible options and provides a decision-making methodology as well as a dozen case studies of house museums that have made a successful transition to a new owner or user."--BOOK JACKET
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 237-245) and index
