Historic trappe will hire a project cataloguer/archivist to catalogue approximately 13,200 objects, which include 1,900 three-dimensional objects from the trappe historical society collection, 300…

Historic Trappe received a $138,500 Project Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the Museums for America program (CFDA 45.301), effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. The award funds the hiring of a project cataloguer/archivist to comprehensively catalog and process approximately 13,200 objects and archival materials held by the Trappe Historical Society, including 1,900 three-dimensional objects, 300 items from the educational collection, 300 architectural remnants, 200 rare books, 10,000 archaeological fragments across 300 boxes, and 500 archival documents such as letters, ledgers, and journals.

The primary deliverable is the creation of approximately 15 comprehensive finding aids that will be made publicly accessible online, thereby addressing current gaps in collection accessibility and awareness. By organizing and publishing these records and finding aids, Historic Trappe will enhance the educational and historical value of its collections, making them available to researchers, educators, and the general public. This initiative aligns with the Museums for America program's core objective of collections stewardship through cataloging and digitization activities that strengthen institutional capacity to serve the public.

Historic trappe will hire a project cataloguer/archivist to catalogue approximately 13,200 objects, which include 1,900 three-dimensional objects from the trappe historical society collection, 300 items in the educational collection, 300 architectural remnants, 200 rare books, and 300 boxes of archaeological material encompassing around 10,000 individual fragments. In addition, the museum will process and catalog 500 letters, ledgers, journals, etc., in its archival collection, producing approximately 15 comprehensive finding aids that will be made publicly accessible. By organizing and publishing these records and finding aids, historic trappe will address the current lack of accessibility and awareness of these significant collections, making them available online to researchers, educators, and the public, thereby enhancing the educational and historical value of these resources.