National Heritage Responders

Group of individuals in yellow vests sitting on stairs in front of a building.

Recovery Assistance for Cultural Heritage

The National Heritage Responders (NHR) serve the needs of cultural institutions and the public during emergencies and disasters through coordinated efforts with first responders, state agencies, vendors, and the public.

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ALERT! The National Heritage Responders are actively deployed to assist artists in recovering their work after the devastating warehouse fire in Red Hook, New York. To support this effort and additional training and deployments, please consider donating to our GoFundMe. If you are a member, you can always donate through our portal (please designate funds go to NHR).

"The July 2022 flooding of Eastern Kentucky was devastating for Appalshop, which holds the largest collection of Appalachian media in the world. The 1,000-year flood submerged over 85% of our materials in mud, water and unknown contaminants. Quick assistance by the National Heritage Responders was critical in helping us to save the collection, with a much higher recovery rate for materials than we could have hoped for. As these types of disasters become increasingly common, their leadership and expertise is needed now more than ever."

- Chad Hunter, Director, Appalshop Archive

"Shortly after Los Angeles’s devastating January 2025 wildfires, the NHRs provided an invaluable training clinic for our LA-based conservators, equipping volunteers with shared terminology, best practices, and the confidence needed to serve hundreds of community members at public fire recovery clinics."

- Ellen Moody, Art Recovery LA

"The assistance of the National Heritage Responders was crucial for La Casa del Libro after Hurricane Maria, and thanks to their willingness, knowledge, and contributions, we were able to cope with the disaster, control the damage, learn on what to prioritize and request further aid. In the long term, the guidance of FAIC and NHR has left a significant positive impact on our institution, for which we will always be grateful."

- Karen Cana-Cruz, Executive Director, La casa del Libro Museum Library

Need Assistance?

Institutions

If your collections have been affected by an emergency, call 202.661.8068.

Public

If your personal items have been damaged in an emergency, email NHRPublicHelpline@culturalheritage.org.

Not Urgent?

Email emergencies@culturalheritage.org.

How can I become an NHR Volunteer?

Complete a training through one of FAIC's Alliance for Response networks or the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative (SCRI) Heritage Emergency and Response Training (HEART).
After attending a training, contact emergencies@culturalheritage.org to receive a core competencies exam that covers emergency response and recovery fundamentals.
We will place those who pass the exam in a pool of eligible members.
Each May, we identify any gaps (geographic, expertise, etc...) on the team and onboard eligible members who will contribute to the team's diversity.