Dalton Historical Invests in Museum Collection Management Software
DALTON, Mass. — The Historical Commission has approved the purchase of a museum collection management software, PastPerfect.
During its meeting in May, commissioners voted to purchase the a desktop version of the software for $870.
It was highlighted that if they join the American Association for State and Local History, which has a membership fee of $100, the software cost would be discounted to $696.
In addition to the discount, the association will give them access to the association's resources, including free online access to the encyclopedia of local history, discounts to several professional development webinars, online courses, software, and workshops for all staff, and more.
During its June meeting, the commission voted to approve the purchase of the web version of the PastPerfect because of it has more functions and accessible options.
The web version will cost about $1,100, which includes the cost of the association membership.
"A standalone version would be just on a computer at the office," Commissioner Dennis Croughwell said.
The web version allows users to manage their collections and contacts directly through a web browser, eliminating the need for software installation or maintaining in-house servers.
It also has collection management, multi-media attaching, password-protected user logins and user-level restrictions, automatic backup, a quick search, keyword search, and queries function, and contact management to track volunteers, donors, and members, and organize fundraising activities and campaigns.
For an additional fee of $200, for the Starter Pack edition, the collection can be made available to the public through a searchable database for web visitors.
The commission decided it was premature to pay to make its collection available to the public, as there would not be many items uploaded at this early stage.
The software becomes about an $800 expenditure every year after the first year, Croughwell said.
The commission has a wide range of items that it has obtained over the years, including sports memorabilia, a World War I uniform, government documents, pictures, and more.
In addition, it runs the historic Fitch-Hoose House Museum on 6 Gulf Road, which is open from 1 until 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Admission is free. The house was built in 1846 and is the last remaining home of Dalton's early Black residential neighborhood.
The commission’s collection became disorganized during the pandemic and during the Town Hall renovation and is in need of cataloguing.
Commission co-Chair Deborah Kovacs previously said the renovations at Town Hall were a blessing in disguise because it encouraged the commissioners to dig deeper into their collection and rediscover what they have.
Although the collection is organized, the categories are broad and some items have been tucked away. As they look further into items, commissioners have found things they didn't expect.
The collection has some items dating back as far as 1784, when the town was established and had its charter signed by Gov. John Hancock. The charter can be seen in a case in the Town Hall’s Callahan Room.
The commission had a museum in the basement of Town Hall in 1990 but it closed six or seven years later because it was too damp and had poor air conditions.
Now its items are held in a storage area in Town Hall that is not open to the public. However, people are welcome to call and make an appointment to get assistance with something, Kovacs said.
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