Regional Heritage Stewardship Program
The Regional Heritage Stewardship Program (RHSP) is an initiative of the Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts that brings vital preservation services to regions (selected in consultation with the American Association of State and Local History) of the United States with a wealth of collecting organizations but limited access to conservators or other preservation services. The overarching goal is to build strong cultural heritage communities and long-term networks for on-the-ground support.
With funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), CCAHA first launched RHSP in 2017 in the Gulf Coast (Deep South) and Appalachia. As of 2024, RHSP services are focused on the Deep South and Appalachia. CCAHA offers free training opportunities, a mentorship program, and a limited number of Peer Preservation Needs Assessments in both of these regions.
Training Opportunities
Are you located in one of these areas of the country and interested in collections care training for your organization, regional network, and/or other group? Please reach out to our Education Program Manager, Greg Stuart, and we can discuss!
Mentorship Program
In support of establishing a community of collaborators in both regions, CCAHA will launch a mentorship program geared towards supporting emerging and mid-level professionals. Instead of a traditional one-on-one mentorship program, the program will establish mentorship circles of four to six individuals at varying points in their career.
Peer Preservation Needs Assessments
Through funding from the NEH, CCAHA can offer a limited number of Preservation Needs Assessments in both regions free of charge. Institutions selected to participate will receive a Preservation Needs Assessment conducted by a CCAHA specialist using a peer-to-peer format. Institutions are paired with a peer institution in the region with whom they complete the assessment process in tandem.
The Preservation Needs Assessment encompasses a general evaluation of an institution's preservation needs for their collections and includes environment (temperature, relative humidity, pollution, and light), housekeeping, pest control, fire protection, security, and disaster preparedness; collection storage, handling, exhibition, and treatment; and preservation planning. The written report provides observations, recommendations, and resources to guide the development of a comprehensive preservation plan for the collections.
Participation in this program requires a commitment to serve in a regional cohort, attend at least one other preservation needs assessment site visit over the course of the program (2024-2026), and host at least one representative from another participating institution on the site visit.
More Information
Sign up here to receive updates about RHSP.
Recordings of previous webinars offered through RHSP Appalachia can be accessed here. Recordings of previous webinars offered through RHSP Deep South can be accessed here. Recordings of previous webinars offered through RHSP Intermountain West (2019-2020) be accessed here.
Questions? Contact Dyani Feige, Director of Preservation Services, at dfeige@ccaha.org.