Get Hands-On with History: Learn How to Accession Artifacts at the Pulaski Area Historical Society
Have you ever held an old item and wondered… what’s the story behind this?
At the Pulaski Area Historical Society, every artifact has a story—and we’re inviting you to be part of uncovering, preserving, and sharing those stories.
Whether you love organizing, researching, or simply getting your hands on pieces of history, our upcoming workshop on artifact accessioning might be the perfect place for you to plug in.
What Does “Accessioning” Even Mean?
It’s the process of officially accepting an item into the museum’s collection—and it’s one of the most important things we do.
When an item comes in, we don’t just put it on a shelf. We take the time to:
Document it
Understand its history
Decide if it belongs in our collection
Preserve it properly for future generations
You’ll learn how to complete an accession sheet and gather as much information as possible—because the more we know, the more meaningful the item becomes.
How Do We Decide What to Keep?
Not every item makes it into the collection—and that’s okay. This workshop will walk you through how we thoughtfully evaluate each piece.
1. Connection to Pulaski
We ask:
Does this item have a direct connection to Pulaski or surrounding communities?
Was it owned, created, or used by someone local?
Does it represent a local event, place, or business?
If the answer is “no,” it becomes a much harder yes.
2. Story Value
Every artifact should tell a story.
Is it a Pulaski story—or just a general one?
Can we clearly explain its significance to visitors?
If we can’t tell the story, it may not belong in the collection.
3. Relevance to Our Collection
We focus on preserving what matters most to our community, including:
Agriculture
Polka music heritage
Local businesses
Families and genealogy
Polish heritage and traditions
Pulaski School District
Military history
Clothing and textiles
Sewing and crafts
Toys
Church and religious life
Library history
If an item connects to one (or more) of these areas, it’s a strong candidate.
Become a History Detective
One of the most exciting parts? Research.
You’ll learn how to dig deeper into an artifact’s background using:
Online tools like Google and image searches
AI tools like ChatGPT
The Pulaski Area Historical Society archives
It’s like solving a puzzle—piece by piece.
Behind the Scenes: Organizing & Preserving
We’ll also cover the hands-on side of museum work:
Tagging and labeling items
Assigning accession numbers
Writing clear, quick descriptions
Properly handling and wrapping items (yes—gloves included!)
Photographing artifacts for records
Logging location details within the museum system
This is where detail-oriented people truly shine.
Is This Workshop for You?
If you:
Love local history
Enjoy organizing and systems
Are curious and like to research
Want to contribute to something meaningful in the community
…then yes, this is for you.
Why It Matters
Every item we accept helps tell the story of Pulaski—its people, its traditions, and its legacy.
And the truth is, we can’t do it alone.
This workshop isn’t just about learning a process—it’s about becoming part of a team that preserves history for future generations.
If you’ve ever thought, “I’d love to get involved, but I don’t know where to start,” this is your invitation.
Come learn. Get involved. Help us tell Pulaski’s story—one artifact at a time.
If you are interested in this workshop please fill out the form we have included, and we will let you know when the first workshop will be held.