Monroe County Historical Association
LFI 29,698
Cantilever Shelving, 4 post shelving, File Drawers, Flat Files, Wall Mounted Art Rack, Mobile Art Rack, Vertical Dividers for small-framed art, Widespan Shelving on ActivRAC
Spacesaver
MKSD
Spacesaver
MKSD
Spacesaver
MKSD
From Wood Shelves to Museum-Grade Solutions: Modernizing Storage at MCHA
The Monroe County Historical Association (MCHA) in Stroudsburg, PA, preserves an extensive and diverse collection of artifacts, documents, and artwork that reflect the rich history of the region. As part of a major expansion of its museum and library at the Stroud Mansion, MCHA sought to strengthen its role as both a cultural anchor and a welcoming space for the community. Like a building’s cornerstone, the Stroud Mansion houses and protects the memories and milestones of families, businesses, and the diverse boroughs and villages that make up Monroe County. To further this mission, the expansion project was designed to enhance visitor amenities for education and community-building activities, improve accessibility to both the building and its information resources, and upgrade the preservation, storage, and display of historic treasures.
With collections continuing to grow, the existing storage setup—consisting of wood shelving and boxes stored on the floor—was no longer sufficient and fell short of museum preservation standards. To address these challenges, MCHA worked with Diversified Storage Solutions to assess current conditions, evaluate future needs, and design a customized system that would both safeguard their holdings and expand capacity. A critical goal of the project was to relocate storage into the new addition, freeing up more of the original mansion for exhibit space and allowing more artifacts to be displayed to the public. After a detailed survey of collection needs, DSS recommended a combination of specialized museum-grade storage systems: Spacesaver cantilever shelving for library materials, 4-post shelving for versatile storage, file drawers and flat files for documents and photographs, and a mix of wall-mounted and mobile art racks for framed works. For larger objects such as furniture, widespan shelving mounted on ActivRAC systems was integrated to maximize floor space while ensuring room for future growth.
By implementing this comprehensive, preservation-focused solution, DSS helped MCHA not only protect its diverse holdings but also unlock new opportunities for engagement. The Stroud Mansion now benefits from enhanced storage capacity, improved accessibility, and expanded exhibit areas - all critical to sharing Monroe County’s stories more fully with the public. This project highlights Diversified Storage Solutions’ ability to deliver tailored systems that balance protection, capacity, and usability, empowering institutions like MCHA to continue their mission of safeguarding cultural heritage for generations to come.
