To fulfill my responsibilities as conveniently as possible, the Executive Manager designated a site for my work area in a corner of the storeroom adjacent to the Mick Memorial Room. With an initial donation of $300 from my mother, Doris Willits Oddson, I purchased a desk, chair, and lamp. In May 1999, my husband, Dean, and I spent three days at the International Center completing an inventory of every item on display in the Mick Memorial Room. The inventory description includes size, condition, date, color, etc. In addition, a photographic record was made of the collection. What remained to be inventoried and photographed were the contents of two large metal cabinets that contained items that were in storage. These items had never been on display. So in October 1999, we returned to Papillion to inventory and photograph all of these items. A few of these items were “display quality” and since have been added to the display cabinets in the Mick Memorial Room.

To enhance the collection, I redesigned the Mick Memorial Room displays by adding recent acquisitions, and by rearranging the old displays into an historical context. All displays are now accompanied by text explaining the historical significance of the item, or the event or function it represents. If known, this information includes the name of the donor and their Bethel Number. Supports have been added to many of the items so that they are now visible in a vertical rather than horizontal format thus making it much easier to read printed materials. Each visit allows me the opportunity to create new displays.

To preserve the collection, archival-quality materials have been used to protect copies of the Supreme News Exchange beginning with the first issue and through to the last printed issue. All unframed photographs and all unbound printed materials are now stored in archival-quality folders. Garments that are not on display are stored in acid-free storage boxes and wrapped in archival-quality tissue paper. Much more needs to be done to preserve our collection.

To share the collection, the Reading Room was created so that visitors to the International Center could have a “hands-on” experience. Many items – and more are planned – are on display in open shelving, providing visitors the opportunity to read a large variety of historical documents and to have an opportunity to do their own research.

To support the cost of both enhancing and preserving our historical collection, and to encourage the donation of additional artifacts, I have undertaken several fundraising and promotional efforts as Curator. These have included a tour to the International Center as part of the 2001 Supreme Session, yearly messages to Bethels asking that the Daughters include a Coin March as part of their remembrance of Mrs. Mick’s birthday, displays at Supreme Session, history articles in the SNE On-line, and sales of a Mother Mick “Buds of Promise” pin.

Learn More:

Curator Photo Gallery / Curator Reports