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Heirloom Consulting
new solutions for old problems facing historic sites, the humanities, and non-profits.
Services
Curation
Interpretive planning
A written report detailing engaging narratives and experiences, connecting visitors with the historical context and significance of the space.
Furnishings reports
A written report documenting and assessing the historical significance, condition, and placement of furniture and other objects to tell an accurate and engaging story.A written report documenting and assessing the historical significance, condition, and placement of furniture and other objects to tell an accurate and engaging story.
Scenarios
A small installation in a room or other discrete space that tells a specific story about a person or event.
Object research + acquisition
In-depth investigation into an artifact’s history, provenance, significance, and context for accurate documentation and interpretation.
Deaccessioning + transfer
Research in justification of object removal from a museum’s collection. Sometimes they are sold at auction, other times they are relocated objects within or between institutions for preservation or exhibition.
Research
Thorough investigation into an artifact’s history, context, and significance for accurate documentation and interpretation.
Collections Management
Collections Assessments
Collection assessment in museums evaluates existing artifacts, identifies gaps, and informs acquisition or deaccession decisions for a comprehensive, well-curated collection.
Curatorial backlog
Assessing, cataloging, documenting, and prioritizing unprocessed proposed acquisitions, ensuring efficient and sustainable organization and accessibility.Assessing, cataloging, documenting, and prioritizing unprocessed proposed acquisitions, ensuring efficient and sustainable organization and accessibility.
Collections management policy + process
Written documents for acquiring, documenting, preserving, and deaccessioning artifacts, ensuring responsible stewardship and access.
Integrated pest management
A proactive approach to prevent and control museum pests, preserving and treating artifacts through strategic monitoring and green interventions.
Collections management software selection + procedures
A software package for museums that organizes, documents, and tracks artifacts, streamlining cataloging, storage, and retrieval processes for efficient museum operations.
Exhibitions
Image asset discovery + asset management
The digitization, metadata creation, and DAM systems for organized storage, rights management, and accessible retrieval, promoting public engagement.
Object selection, resourcing, + purchasing
Museum exhibitions involve selecting artifacts aligned with a curator’s vision, securing resources, purchasing objects, and ensuring proper documentation, conservation, and display.
Installation
Museum exhibitions involve selecting artifacts aligned with a curator’s vision, securing resources, purchasing objects, and ensuring proper documentation, conservation, and display.
Programs
Program development + implementation
One-day symposium planning + management
Living history engagement strategies
Costumed interpretation
Administration
Mission + vision workshopping
Goal setting
Ideation
Hiring + interviewing
Board training
Communications
Marketing + promotion
Photography
Copywriting
About
“I save the past and serve our future through scaleable, pragmatic support and advice to cultural heritage organization staff and boards.”
Samantha Dorsey
Samantha Dorsey is the principal of Heirloom Consulting, a cultural heritage service company based in her hometown of Arlington, Virginia.
Experience: Let’s solve challenges, together.
A problem solver, Samantha takes on a variety of roles in the non-profit realm, including administration, curatorial and collections management, education and programming, creative generation, and front-line work.
Scope: Size is no limit.
She has a great range of experience. She routinely works with very large and well-funded institutions and for those smaller organizations that feel they are under-resourced. Samantha enjoys working to scale and towards realistic goals for all.
Passion: People.
Samantha is passionate about people, past and present. She prioritizes truth and authenticity by interpreting real people and their lived experiences as best and as clearly as she can understand them. None of her work has been accomplished alone. She is a committed collaborator and draws upon a wide network both of her own making (Metro Museums, 2011-2018) and those she is privileged to be part of (The Society of Winterthur Fellows). Let her put her contacts to work for you.
Kind Words
“She is organized, efficient, and thorough. She tackles every problem with good cheer and talent. Plus, she is an outstanding colleague, always willing to provide a new perspective, lend a listening ear, or help where needed.”
Rebecca Martin
Highlighted Projects
Collaborators
Just because a solution to your challenge or need is not listed, it does not mean Heirloom Consulting is not the right company for you! We might be the right fit or we know someone who is.
We routinely collaborate with a community of professionals you might like to know. Click on the faces to meet our friendly colleagues.
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