Curatorial team monthly report for November 2004

Curatorial activities continue much as before, with cataloging, conservation and other related work. We conducted an inventory of objects waiting processing in the Curatorial Center and created a list of that work for completion, which will take most of the winter. Marge, Janna, and Pat continue to work on this and on updating our collection catalog.

Perry Backus of the Montana Standard wrote an article on last month's Most Interesting Object, the Bozeman Cab Landau coach. The article was picked up by the Associated Press and was carried by all major Montana newspapers the last week of November. Pat created a slide show about the vehicle, and the newspaper coverage prompted several calls and email communications on background information on the Bozeman Cab and on Landau coaches. Pat also worked with Curator of History John Ellingsen in preparing materials on our Music Machine collection.

This month's Most Interesting Objects are two lamps which now hang in the new Virginia City offices of the Heritage Commission at Content's Corner, above Bob's Place. The lamps, dating from the late 19th century, were found in a storage building in Nevada City. Originally gas, they had previously been electrified. Since the picture below was taken, the wiring was updated, the lamps cleaned, and missing parts replaced. Fairly common in their time, the lamps add a touch of nostalgia and beauty to the newly renovated conference room at Content's Corner. We hope you'll be able to see them in their restored state.