How does a resident curatorship work?

A resident curatorship is a public/private partnership in which the curator (which may be a couple) donates their own resources—time and/or money—to the restoration of an historic property in exchange for a long-term no-rent agreement. Because the cost to the curator is often much more than $100,000, the term of the lease is typically for the life of the curator(s). A curator is chosen from candidates that respond to a request for proposals on the basis of the proposal itself, on the financial ability of the proposed curator to accomplish the work proposed within a five year period, and on the related experience of the proposed curator or his/her contractor. The proposals are reviewed by a Resident Curatorship Committee composed of staff from the Division of Parks and Recreation and a representative of the Delaware State Historic Preservation Office. The work must meet federal guidelines for the treatment of historic properties in order to ensure that the historic character of the building is preserved. Once the curator begins the rehabilitation, the work is reviewed as it progresses by Division staff. After the rehabilitation is completed, the curator is expected to maintain the building in good condition so that at the end of the curatorship period, the Division resumes management of an improved historic property.

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Why would anyone chose to participate in a resident curatorship program?

For people interested in living in an historic house in a quiet setting, resident curatorships have a number of benefits. First of all, their financial resources can be directed toward creating the home of their dreams without having to spend a lot of their money just to acquire the property. They can live in a rural setting on a manageable piece of land without worrying that they will be surrounded by modern tract housing. They will have the satisfaction of contributing to a worthy cause and giving something back to the community.

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How are resident curators selected?

Resident curators are selected on the basis of proposals submitted to the Division and reviewed by the Resident Curatorship Committee. Each proposal will be reviewed and ranked based on four separate elements:

Each element of each proposal will be reviewed and ranked separately, and the final decision will be based on a combination of these rankings as well as on the overall proposal.

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How will Delaware State Parks ensure that the resident curator produces a quality project?

The first step in ensuring a quality project is the review of the proposal itself. In some cases, it may be necessary to negotiate changes in the final work plan. In addition, state park staff will review work in progress on a regular basis—quarterly or semi-annually depending on the pace of the project. The curatorship agreement requires that any deviation from the work plan be approved in advance by the Division, and that all work to meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Rehabilitation. The curator may be required to remove any unauthorized work. Finally, the curatorship agreement allows for termination of the agreement if the curator fails to meet the standards set by the Committee. The agreement also requires the curator(s) to maintain the property in good condition at their own expense throughout the period of the tenancy.

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How does Delaware benefit from a resident curatorship?

 

Unused buildings on lands owned or managed by the Delaware Division of Parks and recreation are a drain on limited resources if efforts are made to maintain them, and an eyesore if such efforts are not made. Furthermore, these unused buildings are subject to unauthorized entry and vandalism. On the other hand, they are a part of the historic landscape of Delaware, a landscape which is rapidly disappearing as a result of increasing development. A resident curatorship program will enable the Division to ensure the continued survival of these important pieces of Delaware’s history while maintaining the pleasing appearance of Delaware's state parks. And at the end of the curatorship, the state will have a building that has been restored to usefulness.

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