Research and Collections Appointments

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Research is a core part of what we do and we are happy to offer both virtual and in-person assistance to anyone wanting to delve deeper into their own decorative arts research interests.  See below to learn about how our expert team might be able to help you.

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Free, self-service access to the museum’s online digital databases is always available!
Start your research adventure by exploring one of these digital databases:

MESDA Object Database
MESDA Craftsman Database
MESDA Subject Database
Old Salem Wachovia Residents Database
MESDA Journal
Old Salem Historic Photograph Collection (via DigitalForsyth)
Records of the Moravians in North Carolina, Vols. 1-13 (via the Internet Archive)
Gray Library Catalog
Search the MESDA Collection
Search the Old Salem Collection

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RESEARCH AND LIBRARY APPOINTMENTS

You can receive personalized research assistance virtually or in person.  To best determine your needs, begin by filling out a contact form at the link below. Read on to learn more about our research offerings.

RESEARCH AND LIBRARY APPOINTMENT CONTACT FORM

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Virtual Assistance by Phone or Email
Speak with a Research Associate or the Librarian to help answer research inquiries and receive tips for using online tools and suggestions of pertinent research tools and publications.

Personalized research assistance requires time for members of the MESDA Research Center and Gray Library staff to review, copy, and deliver materials.

Free__________Society-level member
$25.00________General Public

 

 

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Begin by completing the Research and Library Appointment Contact Form

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Onsite Research
The MESDA Research Center and Gray Library are open to the public Wednesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4:00 p.m, but making an appointment is strongly suggested. Access to all holdings in the Gray Library; the library’s vertical research files; the complete Historic Photograph Collection; all materials in MESDA Object Database folders; and one-on-one, in-person interactions with a member of the MESDA Research & Library team.  Appointments should be scheduled at least seven (7) days in advance.

In-person research assistance is available in two-hour appointments and may be scheduled Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. A member of the Research Center and Gray Library staff will help you schedule your appointment.  Appointments must be scheduled at least seven (7) days in advance.

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Begin by completing the Research and Library Appointment Contact Form

 

 

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COLLECTION STUDY APPOINTMENTS

We invite you to join us for one-on-one object study in the MESDA galleries.  Interested to learn about objects of a particular media or from a particular region or time period?  We will tailor your experience based on your preferences.  To best prepare for your visit, begin by filling out a contact form at the link below.

COLLECTION STUDY APPOINTMENT CONTACT FORM

Access to MESDA’s thirty galleries, tailored to your preferences, with an expert guide.  Appointments must be scheduled at least seven (7) days in advance.

Free__________Society-level member
$50.00________General Public

Two-hour Collection Study Appointments may be scheduled Mondays and Tuesdays. Because of the small size of many of our galleries, we ask that groups limit themselves to four related individuals at this time.

A member of the MESDA Guide staff will help you schedule your appointment. Appointments must be scheduled at least seven (7) days in advance.

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Begin by completing the Collection Study Appointment Contact Form