Smith-McDowell Museum

Purpose: Building Public Access The grant will significantly increase public access to the Smith-McDowell House museum's collections, which center on life in western North Carolina. Two of the museum's points of contact with the public--its Web site and an electronic listing of its collection--will be redesigned and improved, respectively. Specifically, funds will be invested in technology to update equipment that will run collection management and Web page software. This will dramatically improve access for and contact with educators, researchers, donors, and the public. Staff will expand the new Web page to include educational materials for teachers, a virtual museum tour, and a press/media section. Sections of the museum's archives will be digitized and added to the site. Automation will substantially increase the museum's access to its own holdings and facilitate the development of both on-and off- site exhibits.