Curatorial team monthly report for October 2004

In October, Marge finished the annual cleaning of all of our exhibit areas—a huge accomplishment! Curatorial activities continue much as before, with cataloging, conservation and other related work. Finishing cataloging and examination of historic objects moved into the Curatorial Center over the past few years will occupy most of the curatorial staff's time over the coming winter. While this work is not very exciting, it is what that makes these collections accessible to the public through research and exhibition.

Marge and Pat attended the Montana History Conference in Whitefish. Marge attended a workshop on collection management, focusing on archives, and both attended numerous presentations and programs, all interesting and informative.

Using Jack Frost's modified lift trucks, the Bozeman Cab Number 6, one of three Landau coaches in our collections, was moved out of the Eberle Blacksmith Shop in Nevada City for the first time in probably forty years. Several rats' nests and other debris were cleaned out of the cab. We are preparing a slide show of images and information on the Bozeman Cab in hopes of engendering interest in funding full-scale conservation treatment on this important vehicle. The Bozeman Cab is this month's MIO (Most Interesting Object), pictured below on the trailer being prepared for its journey to Kiskadden Barn in Virginia City.