For my graduate assistantship, I served as the Curatorial Assistant for the Historic Columbia Foundation in Columbia, South Carolina. As the assistant to the Director of Historic House Museums, I participated in the completion of a two-year inventory of the Foundation’s entire collection, which included a significant amount of textiles, ceramics, books, paintings, photograph collections, furniture, and other decorative arts. This position required creating condition reports and updating paper and database files for over 600 artifacts using the PastPerfect Museum Database software. I participated in the cleaning of artifact storage and display areas within the historic house museums, the installation/breakdown of exhibits, and transporting/packing artifacts from local institutions. Additionally, I was responsible for maintaining security, pest management, and the environmental systems of three historic properties.
In addition to cataloging artifacts, I developed a text panel exhibit and artifact exhibit in two of the Foundation’s historic homes.
Chicora College Dormitory Exhibit, Hampton-Preston mansion
Ashley N. Bouknight, Ph.D. 