1. Stevens Institute of Technology
S.C. Williams Library
Michael Satalof, Project Archivist
Spring 2013
Report on Antiques, Artworks, and Special Collections

2. Project Summary
Purpose
• Create a campus-wide inventory and visual record of historic
artifacts and artworks at Stevens.
• Document current location and condition.
• Describe historical context and provenance.
Background
• Used legacy inventories, donor files, and special collections.
• Longtime staff and administrators were invaluable.

3. Project Summary
Based on 2004 appraisal inventory
• 371 art and historic artifacts documented in 2004
• 355 of these objects located and inventoried in 2013
• More than half are in now new locations

4. Project Summary
Artifacts not inventoried
• The Library’s bibliographic materials
• The Library’s collection of mechanical models
• The Frederick Winslow Taylor and Stevens Family collections
• 16 objects not located from the 2004 inventory
• Non-special collections or antique items

5. Project Summary
Inventory
• 520 objects inventoried
– 195 visual artworks
– 259 furnishings
– 53 documentary artifacts
– 13 structural components
• 1,150 images captured
Locations
– Wesley J. Howe Center
– S.C. Williams Library
– Hoxie House
– Alexander House
– Pond House
– Edwin A. Stevens Hall
– Pierce Hall
– Campus grounds

6. Element Definition Example
Object Identifier An unambiguous and unique number assigned to
each object.
01.1.3
Title Title of an object, either given or supplied. Portrait of Rachel Cox Stevens
Creator The artist, agent or agency, maker or manufacturer
responsible for creation of an object.
Unknown (not apparently signed)
Description Description of the object that can include physical,
intellectual, or additional contextual information.
Purportedly after an original by
Gilbert Stuart (via, 2004 appraisal
inventory). In 17th century giltwood
frame.
Date Date of creation. Circa dates are indicated as “Ca.” Mid-19th century
Source Information about the object’s provenance, donor
information, or former campus location.
Formerly located in Castle Stevens,
in the Gold Room, and later
displayed in the Castle Room.
Condition Description of the physical state of an object, based
on visual inspection (from a vocabulary list: Good,
Fair, Poor, Very Poor).
Good – With minor surface
cracking in spots on canvas.
Dimensions Physical dimensions, in inches and feet. 40” w x 47” h
Medium Medium or media comprising an object. Oil painting
Location Current campus location (from a vocabulary list). Hoxie House, Drawing Room

7. Inventory Process
Unique ID number
• Assigned to each object or set
• Classification system based on The Getty’s Art &
Architecture thesaurus

8. Inventory Process
Unique ID number
The Moon and Stars
01.4.1
scw_01.4.1_1.jpg

9. Inventory Process
Unique ID number
The Moon and Stars
01.4.1
Visual work
scw_01.4.1_1.jpg

10. Inventory Process
Unique ID number
The Moon and Stars
01.4.1
Visual work
Mobile
scw_01.4.1_1.jpg

11. Inventory Process
Unique ID number
The Moon and Stars
01.4.1
[sequential #]
Visual work
Mobile
scw_01.4.1_1.jpg

12. Photographic Inventory
scw_02.10.53_1.jpg

13. Photographic Inventory
scw_02.10.53_2.jpgscw_02.10.53_1.jpg

14. Photographic Inventory
scw_02.10.53_3.jpgscw_02.10.53_1.jpg scw_02.10.53_2.jpg

15. Filemaker Inventory

16. Filemaker Inventory

17. Filemaker Inventory

18. Transition to Collective Access
Collective Access cataloging portal

19. Transition to Collective Access
Collective Access for online discovery
• Direct publication of materials online
• Enhance visibility of special collections
• Curate digital “exhibits” and collections
• Will serve as a digital image management system
Maintain Filemaker database locally
• Used to generate reports and for quick search
• Will serve as a backup and database for local use

20. Transition to Collective Access
Filemaker Pro
• Advantages
– Powerful data-sorting abilities
– Ease and speed of use
– Customer service
– Configurable
• Disadvantages
– Limited online access
– Cannot support multiple or
high-res images
– Cannot support audio/video
– Requires a license
Collective Access
• Advantages
– Collections can be accessed online
– Supports multiple/high-res images
– Supports video/audio
– Supports vocabularies/authorities
– Configurable
– Free and open-access
• Disadvantages
– Requires in-depth database setup
– Requires an internet connection
– Slower response time

21. Other Project Outcomes

22. Other Project Outcomes
Preservation and Library storage space
• Harmful storage environments identified
• Artworks and historic artifacts removed
• Environmental damage noted in inventory
• Dedicated storage space for framed artworks
• Approximately 70 framed artworks wrapped and moved

23. Other Project Outcomes
Preservation and Library storage space
Dedicated storage room for framed artworks

24. Other Project Outcomes
Preservation and Library storage space
02.17.6 – Mirror previously damaged and improperly stored

25. Other Project Outcomes
Object Identifier system

26. Other Project Outcomes
Object Identifier system
Workflow for tagging objects

27. Other Project Outcomes
Object Identifier system
Workflow for tagging objects
Opportunities for students
• Engage students with collections and with Stevens history
• Identify particular skills or expertise
• Scanning, photography, tagging, some preservation work

28. Next Steps
Oral history recordings

29. Next Steps
Oral history recordings
Further research of historical context

30. Next Steps
Oral history recordings
Further research of historical context
Preservation initiatives for objects

31. Next Steps
Oral history recordings
Further research of historical context
Preservation initiatives for objects
Further inventory of objects not documented