Final Report CPA Gare Collection 2016-2019
H I S T O R I C N O R T H A M P T O N
Preserving, Interpreting and Exploring Northampton’s Stories
To: Northampton Community Preservation Committee
From: Kelsy Sinelnikov, Collections Manager, Historic Northampton
Date: August 19, 2020
Re: Final Report, Gare Collection Small Grant
Northampton Community Preservation Committee Small Grant: Preservation of
The Gare Collection of Silversmithing, Watch Repair Tools and Business Records
In December 2016, Historic Northampton received a Community Preservation Act Small Grant
to preserve “The Gare Collection of Silversmithing and Watch Repair Tools and Business
Records.” The collection documents a silversmithing shop and jewelry store that operated
continuously on Main Street in Northampton from 1785 to 1994. It consists of over 586 objects,
101 account books and 6 linear feet of archival materials. The grant was used to purchase: 1)
two storage cabinets and supplies to rehouse the Gare Collection objects; and 2) archival storage
materials for the business records and oversize objects.
Most of the grant was used to purchase two large cabinets of metal drawers for housing metal
tools, which comprise the majority of the collection. Specifically, we purchased Rousseau R-
Series Cabinets with sliding drawers that range in height 4”-8” to accommodate objects of
varying sizes. We lined the drawers with Ethafoam, a closed-cell polyethylene foam, to cushion
the objects and to prevent them from sliding into each other when the drawers are opened. The
cabinets were installed by Douglas Thayer Woodworking and Design of Florence. The new
shelving improves storage quality to the level of museum-quality care. It also saves much-
needed space through more efficient storage.
The grant was also used to purchase artifact identification tags and catalog numbering materials
to make sure items are correctly identified by a unique object id number and tracked. Larger
anvils and metal presses that did not fit in the drawers were placed in climate controlled housing
and covered with Tyvek, an inert material that prevents damage from dust, water and other
elements.
Previous storage of collection The rehoused collection in new cabinets
Volunteer Pat Aslin placing objects into
their new drawers
In addition to the objects, the collection includes extensive documentation in the form of 101
account books and three-ring binders containing scrapbooks pages of newspaper ads, marketing
materials and images. After removing the scrapbook pages from three-ring binders, we re-
housed the materials in archival grade boxes with acid-free interweaving tissue, photo sleeves
and folders. The paper in the binders was experiencing acid migration from the highly acidic
newspaper clippings transferring onto other pages. (Over time, this would cause the stained
pages to breakdown and crumble so that they could no longer be read.) We transferred the
papers into acid-free folders and interwove them with acid-free paper that contains a 3% calcium
carbonate buffer to prevent acid migration. They are also now stored in a climate controlled
room to prevent issues like mold in the future and further increase their longevity.
Three-ring binders containing scrapbooks of newspaper ads, marketing materials and
photographs before they were rehoused into archival grade materials.
Volunteer Pat Aslin rehousing photographs on scrapbook pages
into a new album.
Scrapbook pages of newspaper ads and marketing documents were moved from damaged
three ring binders into archival folders and boxes.
Large rolled plans were placed in protective boxes by volunteer
Barbara Wright.
In addition, over 100 account books were placed on metal shelves in the climate controlled
collection storage room.
Account books on their new shelves.
Smith College student volunteers Emma Crumbly
and Eve Loftus updating the Gare Collection catalog records.
The Gare Collection will now be housed in a professional collection storage space that will assist
in the long-term preservation, organization, and security of the objects and records. Historic
Northampton is very grateful for this grant provided by the Community Preservation Committee
and is excited to be able to better preserve this extraordinary collection and piece of
Northampton’s history.