For longtime New Hampshire Boat Museum (NHBM) member Jane Rice, unpacking, cleaning, and cataloging the museum’s collection in a database is almost second nature. Rice worked as a librarian at the Moultonborough Public Library for 38 years before she began volunteering for NHBM in Moultonborough last winter.
“It’s sort of familiar to me, although it’s a different program,” she said, comparing the CatalogIt database used by NHBM with the database she utilized as a librarian.“It’s the same idea of entering all the details about the object, whether it’s a book or these various boat artifacts.”
NHBM currently has more than 2,500 items in its database, but Rice explained that number will likely grow if the Collections Committee decides to incorporate several items currently in limbo.
“Even the stuff that’s already cataloged needs to have the location changed from our prior location in Wolfeboro to Moultonborough,” she added. “It’s important to know what you have in the collection because it can’t all be displayed at once—and if items are organized, it makes it easier to pull them for specific displays.”
According to Rice, items she and fellow volunteer Joanne Pendergast have cataloged include everything from steering wheels, propellers, tools, and steamboat gauges to magazines and books, water skis, outboard motors, and the boats themselves. Each item is tagged with a reference number, while Rice and Pendergast input specific descriptions and photos.
“We are so thankful for Jane’s invaluable help,” said NHBM Development Director Wendy Stocker. “She has been an enormous asset in helping organize our collection after moving to Moultonborough. It’s been a big project, and she’s absolutely stepped up to the task.”
Stocker added that NHBM is currently looking for volunteers. “Ready to make a difference?” she asked. “Visit our volunteer page to learn more.”
About NHBM
Founded in 1992 by antique and classic boating enthusiasts, NHBM offers dynamic exhibits and engaging events and programs tailored to the diverse boating lifestyles and values of people of all ages. NHBM exhibits, events and programming covers everything from boat charters, boat trips and race boats to canoes, wooden boats, outboard motors, sculling, sailing sunfish, and Lyman and Johnson motors. Some of our hands-on programs take place on Lake Winnipesaukee. NHBM is sponsored in part by Belletetes, Eastern Propane & Oil, Epoxy Floor New England, Goodhue Boat Company, Kingswood Press and Design Studio, KW Coastal, Lake and Mountains, North Water Marine, and Taylor Community.