Humanities Council funds training to preserve Haydon Museum’s priceless artifacts

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Volunteer museum curator Erika Radewagen and ASCC art professor Reggie Meredith Fitiao have been accepted into the 2022 University of Hawaii-East West Center Pacific Island Museum Institute Program funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Clara Reid, acting chair of the Jean P. Haydon Museum Board of Trustees said, "Initially the responsibility and due diligence of the Museum Board of Trustees is to maintain the stabilization of our cultural and priceless artifacts in the museum collection.

Clara Reid and Erica Radewageen at the dedication of the museum extension in 2019. [SN file photo]

“It is significant that we have two museum specialists to evaluate the collection for stabilization under the certification of the Pacific Island Museum Institute Program,” Reid said.

ASCC Art Professor Reggie Meredith Fitiao with one of her classes. [SN file photo]

The research overview will be documented with virtual classes held weekly and the final review held at the UH-East West Center Pacific Island Museum Institute on Oahu.

The iconic siapo of Mary Pritchard will be reviewed for stabilization as part of the inaugural conservation care collection for the Haydon Museum under the conservatorship of the two museum specialists.

Mary Pritchard examining a Paper Mulberry tree. [photo: siapo.com]

 The conservation care collection, evaluation and certification process will also be documented for a Museum Studies project, in partnership with the Territorial Teacher of the Year Christian Sa'alea and Tafuna High School students.

Special Fa'afetai Tele to the Amerika Samoa Humanities Council for funding and recognizing this unique educational opportunity and "Malo lava” to Erika Radewagen and Professor Meredith Fitiao for their care and love of the priceless artifacts in the museum collection.