COVA Collections Survey Initiative
We have recently embarked on a survey of archaeological collections on a statewide basis.
COVA’s Collections Committee has drafted a short questionnaire and disseminated it to
approximately 135 institutions that curate, own, or exhibit archaeological collections including
cities, counties, museums, contract companies, historical societies, libraries, state and federal
parks, universities and colleges, military installations, and ASV Chapter presidents. The purpose
of this assessment is threefold:
1) On a basic level, we would like assess how many archaeological collections are housed in
the state. Understanding the size and scope of the archaeological collections database will aid in
future coordinated regional planning and management of Virginia’s archaeological resources.
2) With your input, we would like to draft and make readily available complementary
collections management policies or best practices among repositories in the region.
3) Finally, because repositories like yours are full of exciting and informative artifacts,
photographs, and field records, we would like to develop a list that highlights the research
potential of this material. What themes of research do your collections contribute towards?
What collections have the potential to expand our understanding of Virginia’s unique and rich
past? This list would help historic preservationists, historians, collections managers,
archaeologists, and other museum professionals communicate the importance and highlight the
non-renewable nature of archaeological collections to the public and stimulate future research by
scholars.
Please help us reach our goal of amassing an inventory of archaeological collections in Virginia
and submit by December 15th, 2010! We understand that the questionnaire will require some
time and effort on your part, but we hope that you will see the merit in this endeavor. If you
have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Collections Management
Committee co-chairs (ewhite@mountvernon.org or ebreen@mountvernon.org). We look
forward to sharing our results with you in the future.