1 ALAMEDA MUSEUM ACHIEVEMENTS 2025/26
1. 434 new objects cataloged in 2025:
• Many were already present in storage, but not yet in the CatalogIt database.
Note: In this area, it was possible to use the assistance of volunteers looking for internship-like work. To match volunteers with possible projects, interviews were held; direction and supervision was given; instruction in the use of available tools, equipment, supplies, and procedures.
2. Warehouse space received an update:
• Extra flat map storage was received. This prompted reorganizing of maps, drawings, oversized photographs, and wallpaper samples (and updating the locations in the system).
Note: Maps already in the collection have been inventoried, and those without numbers have been cataloged. There are a dozen large cataloged maps still requiring inventorying and photographing.
3. Restoration/Conservation/Supplies:
• Large polypropylene sleeves, and a roll of polypropylene were donated, and were used to properly protect large maps, blueprints, and unframed artwork. • A wooden toy cart was restored with wheels, which were missing. • Volunteer, Kristen Hipol, trained in hand bookbinding, paper repair, and book repair techniques at the San Francisco Center for the Book, has been making strides in cleaning and repairing fraying corners, and reattaching spines, to the County Assessment Books in the collection.
• A method to protect these books from further dust was devised, using materials donated in the past. This method has been applied to 50 of the oldest ones (about a third).
4. Inventory/Publication:
• Over 3,000 photos from the photo collection were inventoried, and published on the CatalogIt HUB. The project was assisted by volunteers Gail Howell, and Eugene Kruger. • An estimated hundred-odd objects, housed in the warehouse, museum, and Meyers House, were located, photographed, and inventoried.
• Total number of objects now published on the CatalogIt HUB: 17,086. 2 5. Museum Displays:
• Museum displays were created, completed, reorganized, adjusted:
o A location was found for stored and new accessions – the Taylor tea cart, the McIntosh Clock, and the Fisher/McDowell piano.
o An Architectural Display on Marcuse & Remmel, to showcase plaster pieces donated last year, was completed.
o The first digital display in the museum was created: Photos of the Stations of the Electric Red Trains. Assistance from: Chuck Millar, Valerie Turpen, and Grant Ute (Western Railroad Museum).
o Trains exhibit was revamped in conjunction with creating the digital display. o Maritime Display was enhanced by the addition of the model of the Barkentine James Tuft, in storage since 2019.
o China and Cut-Glass displays were rearranged, creating a dedicated China display area with legends. Featuring Alameda China painter/businesses. o Map locating the former 'Fernside' Estate was created for the Cohen dinner set/Fernside photo exhibit.
o School Display, the Gonsalves’ Purple Heart Display, and a sideboard, were moved to new locations.
o A start was made in enhancing/consolidating a School exhibit; a cornerstone box was moved inside the School display case; Panoramic photograph of the 1926 Alameda High School building was moved from storage to the Nancy Martin Gallery. o Theater exhibit was rearranged, adding images of former (and one current) movie theaters. (Fleet Fashion and Women of Alameda’s History). o Added display of the heroic efforts of Alameda Police Officer Pries, who in 1934 prevented a domestic terrorist attack on Neptune Beach. o A list was developed of Indigenous cultural materials for a continued / reimagined Native American / Natural Environment display was created.
3 6. Community
• Artist Fan Lu led a sketching workshop, sketching objects from the museum collection. Background information on the objects chosen was prepared and presented.
• In Collaboration with the Frank Better Center for the Arts watercolor workshops were held at the Meyers House and grounds were available for the Plein Air Paint Out. • Music in the Garden series was established at the Meyers House. • A Walk in the Neighborhood series was established at the Meyers House. • History Tours are held each month at the museum.
• History lectures for groups were held off site and in the museum. • Class tours with Alameda schools are being arranged.
7. Looking Ahead
• School Exhibit to be improved with additional signage. • Theater Exhibit further enhancement with added information. • Neptune Beach Exhibit organization.
• New Native Americans / Natural History Exhibit.
• Creation of a kinetic exhibit on Architecture/Builders. • Train Exhibit improvement with a Belt Line map, RxR sign, addition of trolley lines. • Inventory of the remaining 2000 photos in the photo storage, and cataloged negatives. • Audio components added to exhibits.
• Reestablish the Lecture Series in person.