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TO: Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
FROM: John Russell, grant writer
DATE: 4/28/2015
SUBJECT:
Seeking Authorization to apply for the Grand Victoria Riverboat Fund grant in the amount of $23,838 to purchase display/storage equipment for the new GAR Memorial Museum Research and Visible Storage Center. Approval by the full City Council is needed by June 1, 2015.
PURPOSE:
The new GAR Memorial Museum Research and Visible Storage Center is being formed at the Aurora Public Art Commission galleries at the David L. Pierce Art & History Center, at 20 E. Downer Place. The Research and Visible Storage Center will allow the public maximum access to the Museum's object and archival collections without compromising the best long-term care for the GAR Museum's delicate artifacts. Grand Victoria Riverboat Fund assistance is being sought for the purchase of two Visible Storage Flat File units. The Visible Storage Flat File units feature carefully designed drawers to safely and properly display artifacts. Visitors will be able to pull out drawers securely housing small artifacts, to view the medals, ribbons, and military accessories from the Civil War through the Vietnam War. These artifacts are currently boxed in off-site storage. The cabinets, with 11 drawers each, have sliding, lockable glass lids and individual drawer locks. The grant request includes the purchase of one roll of Ethafoam to be used to line shelves and drawers of the Visible Storage File units, providing stability and cushion for three-dimensional artifacts.
BACKGROUND:
The Civil War veterans of GAR Post 20 began collecting artifacts when the GAR Hall first opened in 1878. Volunteers continued that work through the 20th century, haphazardly collecting artifacts from the Civil War through modern day. As the opening of the Museum Research Center nears, the City has contracted with an experienced museum professional to curate the GAR Memorial Museum collection. Under the direction of the curator, interns from Aurora University's Museum Studies program (or from other museum-related programs) will verify that these small artifacts are catalogued, numbered, and photographed according to museum standards. Each artifact will be custom fit into an Ethafoam sheet coating the bottom of the Visible Storage drawer. The Flat Files will be available to researchers and the general public during open hours, and by appointment
DISCUSSION:
While the future of the GAR Memorial Museum building is unclear, the Museum Research and Visible Storage Center at the Pierce Art & History Center will allow the public to observe and enjoy many of the Museum's artifacts. The Museum was closed because of structural safety concerns in the 1990s, and the majority of its artifacts were placed in storage, away from public view. While the GAR building has been inaccessible to the public, the Aurora Public Art Commission has regularly scheduled exhibits involving the GAR in its gallery at the Art & History Center directly across the street from the GAR Hall. The exhibits were updated or changed to coincide with Civil War anniversaries, and to rotate artifacts. That exhibit space was closed in March 2015, to make way for the Museum Research and Visible Storage Center. The Research and Visible Storage Center project is taking place in three stages, with the first artifacts going on display on the Fourth of July Weekend, a grand opening in conjunction with the City's Veterans Day observance on November 11, 2015, and completion of the Research Center on Dec. 4, 2015.
The GAR Museum has received cost estimates of $22,430 for two (2) Visible Storage Flat File units, including shipping; $1,100 for installation of the Flat File units; and $308 for the Ethafoam needed to line the cabinets. The Revenue Account Number is 231-1361-337.30-10. The Expense Account is 231-1361-465.73-42.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The Research Center's expected audience includes: The visiting public, from Aurora and surrounding cities; School groups; Amateur and professional scholars of military history; Amateur and professional scholars of local history; Reenactors of military history; Genealogists; Veterans and their families.
In the past, the GAR's archival materials have been of particular interest to genealogists with ancestors who lived locally and were active in the GAR and other veterans' groups. Over the past two years, the Aurora Public Art Commission has created the GAR Virtual Museum, allowing easy access to the Museum's treasures worldwide. Museum artifacts today can be viewed on the online Virtual Museum on the City of Aurora website. Local amateur historians, including one who has self-published an exhaustive history of the 36th Illinois Infantry, have used the GAR archives to research Civil War topics. Noted author Rick Atkinson --a Pulitzer Prize winner in history and journalism -- used the GAR Virtual Museum and archival materials while doing research for his books..
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I request approval to submit an application to the Grand Victoria Riverboat Fund grant program to purchase the aforementioned equipment for the GAR Memorial Museum Research and Visible Storage Center.
cc: Alderman O'Connor, Chairman
Alderman Mervine
Alderman Bohman
Alderman Peters, Alternate
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution Seeking Authorization to apply for the Grand Victoria Riverboat Fund grant in the amount of $23,838 to purchase display/storage equipment for the new GAR Memorial Museum Research and Visible Storage Center, and Execution of All Necessary Documents.
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, it is desirable that the City apply for Grand Victoria Riverboat Funds in the amount of $23,838 to be used for the purchase of display/storage equipment for the GAR Museum Research and Visible Storage Center being created at the David L. Pierce Art & History Center. The Revenue Account Number is 231-1361-337.30-10. The Expense Account is 231-1361-465.73-42; and
WHEREAS, the new Research Center will present many of the campaign ribbons and medals, ammunition shells and letters from home from Aurora soldiers from the Civil War up to today's military conflicts; and
WHEREAS, the GAR Museum Research Center will be open for use by all residents and families, genealogists and historians, researchers and authors; and
WHEREAS, the Research Center is an extension of the ongoing efforts to reopen the City's historic Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Museum; and
WHEREAS, the Kane County Board must approve said application and will require the
City of Aurora to execute a Funding Agreement and other necessary documents upon such approval.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the Mayor and the City Clerk are hereby authorized and directed to execute the 2015 Grand Victoria Riverboat Fund Program Application, a Funding Agreement and other necessary documents upon approval of the application by the Kane County Board, and any requests for payment and documentation required to be submitted by the City of Aurora to Kane County requesting the dispersal of funds under this Program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that any changes to the above-stated project description need not be approved by the Aurora City Council.
RESOLUTION NO. _
DATE OF PASSAGE ---------------
PASSED AND APPROVED on
_ AYES NAYS NOT VOTING ABSENT
Alderman Bohman, Ward 1
Alderman Garza , Ward 2
Alderman Mesiacos, Ward 3
Alderman Donnell, Ward 4
Alderman Peters, Ward 5 Alderman Saville, Ward 6
Alderman Hart-Bums, Ward 7 Alderman Mervine, Ward 8
Alderman Bugg, Ward 9 Alderman Johnson, Ward 10
Alderman Irvin, At Large Alderman O'Connor , At Large
ATTEST:
City Clerk Mayor .
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