Email digest for the Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList) egroup. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. RE: The US Committee of the Blue Shield at Twenty: Two Decades of Protecting Cultural Heritage in Peril 2006-2026 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.From: Valeria Orlandini Posted: Saturday September 19, 2026 7:30 PM Subject: RE: The US Committee of the Blue Shield at Twenty: Two Decades of Protecting Cultural Heritage in Peril 2006-2026 Message: The work and participation of Corine Wegener, Founder of the USCBS and Current Board Member (formerly at the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative - U.S. Department of State, U.S. Army Reserve retired); Lori Foley, Former Coordinator for the Heritage Emergency National Task Force (HENTF), HEART, FEMA and former Vice President of Emergency Programs at Heritage Preservation (retired); and Dr. Richard Kurin, Distinguished Scholar and Ambassador-at-large at the Smithsonian Institution, were highlighted during this USCBS event. MAJ Corine Wegener (Ret.) | The Heroes | 21st-Century Monuments Men and Women | Monuments Men and Women Foundation <https://www.mmwf.org/modern-day-monuments-men-and-women/maj-corine-wegener-%28ret.%29> Conservators, salvage and rescue personnel envision that in the coming years, the USCBS and other private and governmental entities could create new alliances, possibly joining forces with multiple cultural institutions globally. I really don't know where one can find support, resources, and funds to further develop the International Blue Shield and emergency/ disaster risk reduction trainings. Dr. Kurin discussed the lack of funding in his Socratic conversation with Cory Wegener, and I asked a question about the Brazilian National Museum's fire to emphasize the remaining work needed for disaster prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. He mentioned that the most surprising and incredible aspect of the earthquake in Haiti was that the citizens remained singing for three days while awaiting aid. 2010 Haiti earthquake <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Haiti_earthquake> Corine Wegener served as the Director of the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative (SCRI), an outreach program dedicated to preserving cultural heritage in crisis situations in the U.S. and abroad. SCRI's work includes projects in Syria, Iraq, Haiti, Nepal, and around the world. SCRI also co-chairs, with FEMA's Office of Environmental and Historic Preservation, the Heritage Emergency National Task Force, part of the U.S. National Disaster Recovery Framework. Wegener's connection to the Smithsonian began with the Haiti Cultural Recovery Project, where she coordinated an international project to rescue and preserve more than 30,000 objects of Haitian heritage after the devastating 2010 earthquake. --- A Public Trust at Risk: The Heritage Health Index Report 2005 <https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/publications/documents/hhifull_0.pdf> The Heritage Health Index is the first comprehensive survey ever conducted of the condition and preservation needs of all U.S. collections held in the public trust. The project was conceived and implemented by Heritage Preservation, a national nonprofit organization, in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), an independent federal agency. ------------------------------ Valeria Orlandini Conservator of Works on Paper and Photographic Materials Chevy Chase MD (301) 657-2682 ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 09-18-2026 13:39 From: Valeria Orlandini Subject: The US Committee of the Blue Shield at Twenty: Two Decades of Protecting Cultural Heritage in Peril 2006-2026 Date: September 17, 2026 The U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield at Twenty: Two Decades of Protecting Cultural Heritage in PerilUSCBS Annual Conference <https://uscbs.org/annual/> As the U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield celebrated its twentieth anniversary yesterday, the American University's Washington College of Law and USCBS brought together experts in cultural property protection for a day of discourse, engagement, future planning and celebration of this milestone. This worthwhile program was organized and hosted by Attorney Patty Gerstenbith, President, and James H. Reap, Vice-President, from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) thus engaging in advocacy, legal policy, training and mentoring for heritage protection. It mainly featured talks by international cultural heritage professionals from Sudan, Ukraine and Iran, who provided an update on the Blue Shield around the world and in the US. The USCBS conference schedule can be seen here <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DgeqqnhF17_EYOg4q5XcRY1C9o-M2siC/view?usp=drive_link>. The conference speakers and moderators can be found here <https://canva.link/64uxwncdsg7sgsm>. --- During the USCBS event I mentioned and reminded the attendees and presenters -- how we, as cultural heritage professionals can avoid the risks of another catastrophic fire like the one that destroyed 90% of the collections of the Brazilian National Museum and began around 7:30 PM (19:30 local time) on Sunday, September 2, 2018. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Museum_of_Brazil_fire>National Museum of Brazil fire <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Museum_of_Brazil_fire> 8 years have passed and many challenges remain urgent for cultural institutions in the Southern region and in the Americas. I encouraged the USCBS members and attendees to look for ways to help more Latin American countries where they had recent earthquakes, for example in Venezuela and in Colombia. The risks and hazards exist, and it's important to work together. American University's Washington College of Law 4300 Nebraska Ave NW Washington, DC 20016 All the best, The USCBS Team *Attached please find some imaged that I recorded during the conference (without any 'copyrights' from the presenters/ authors/ organizers). ------------------------------ Valeria Orlandini Conservator of Works on Paper and Photographic Materials Chevy Chase MD (301) 657-2682 ------------------------------ You are subscribed to "Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList)" as [email protected]. To change your subscriptions, go to http://community.culturalheritage.org/preferences?section=Subscriptions. To unsubscribe from this community discussion, go to https://community.culturalheritage.org/HigherLogic/eGroups/Unsubscribe.aspx?UserKey=d16eaa87-0f69-494b-9f2f-303dbc1222e1&sKey=fab9aa4f27a04c5d876e&GroupKey=757a8f16-505f-4323-8e74-e376757aa9f7.
