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NHF Staff Visit NHHC Collections Management Facility

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By Emily Pearce, NHF Middendorf Curator

RICHMOND, Va. (Oct. 1, 2014) - The U.S. Navy's collection of more than 300,000 artifacts, some dating back to the founding of the republic, are being moved to the Naval History and Heritage Command's Collection Management Facility (CMF). The CMF is a 300,000 square foot warehouse with facilities for administration, conservation and curation of historic artifacts. NHHC is consolidating its collection of historic artifacts, some dating back to the founding of the republic, into the facility located in Richmond Va. (U.S. Navy photo by Jim Caiella/RELEASED)

RICHMOND, Va. (Oct. 1, 2014) – The U.S. Navy’s collection of more than 300,000 artifacts, some dating back to the founding of the republic, are being moved to the Naval History and Heritage Command’s Collection Management Facility (CMF). The CMF is a 300,000 square foot warehouse with facilities for administration, conservation and curation of historic artifacts. NHHC is consolidating its collection of historic artifacts, some dating back to the founding of the republic, into the facility located in Richmond Va. (U.S. Navy photo by Jim Caiella/RELEASED)


The Navy has not always done its due diligence in preserving its material heritage. The practice of collecting naval artifacts dates to the early nineteenth century under patrons such as Thomas Tingey, but these objects were not always handled with preservation practices in mind. It was not until 1961 that Admiral Arleigh Burke established a national museum to house and protect the United States Navy’s collection. Since this decision, the Navy has done its best to collect, protect, and preserve its material culture. The latest demonstration of this mission is the Naval History and Heritage Artifact Consolidation at the Defense Supply Center Richmond.

WASHINGTON (Dec. 5, 2014) -- Hundreds of bells from former U.S. Navy ships lay under wraps on pallets, preparing to be transferred from Naval History and Heritage Command's warehouse on the Washington Navy Yard to a more than 300,000 square-foot facility in Richmond. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Tim Comerford/RELEASED)

Bells from Navy Ships wait to be transferred to Richmond. (U.S. Navy photo by Tim Comerford/RELEASED)

NHF staff had the privilege of visiting the new facility earlier this month. The visit included a tour of the new space guided by Collections Manager Melanie Pereira. Ms. Pereira informed the staff of the plans and procedures for the facility and indicated designated spaces for research, conservation, and storage of artifacts. The refurbished warehouse is being outfitted with high quality shelving units, laboratory spaces, and digital tools to ensure the longevity of this massively important collection.

Perhaps the most rewarding part of our visit was witnessing the high level of care the curatorial staff employed when working with the artifacts. Every member of the team whom we were introduced to explained to us with ferocious enthusiasm what object they were working on and how each facet of the object spoke to the history of the United States Navy. Every artifact—including those donated by NHF!—is being cared for with extreme passion and expertise at the Richmond facility.

The innovative technology utilized in the building couples with the skills of the collection teams to provide a safe and stable environment for this immense collection. The Artifact Consolidation is proving to be a phenomenal benefit to the study of and preservation of naval history. Curators, conservators, and collection team members continue to develop and implement best practices within this space, giving the Navy’s collection a state-of-the-art new home.

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2 Comments

  1. Robert Lane

    I recently purchased a set of Navy knives that are inscribed with Arlie Burke and John Paul Jones. I believe this set was sold by your society at one time. It is set #25 of 5000. Can you tell me when they were originally sold and to who? Thank you, Robert Lane, SCPO (Ret).

    • Admin

      Robert,

      We are not aware of any knife set. Does it say “Naval Historical Foundation” on it? If so, it might be an item that we used to sell back when we were still at the Truxtun-Decatur house near the White House before we moved to our current residence at the Washington Navy Yard.

      Matthew T. Eng
      Digital Content Developer

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