Identification Guide for Ivory and Ivory Substitutes Source: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Description: The Identification Guide for Ivory and Ivory Substitutes is a comprehensive and accessible resource for identifying the most commonly found ivories and artificial substitutes in trade. This is a vital tool to assist law […]
Collection Materials Archives: Natural History Specimens
Contaminated Collections: Preservation, Access and Use
Contaminated Collections:Preservation, Access and Use, Preservation of Native American and Historical Natural History Collections Contaminated with Pesticide Residues Source: Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC) Proceedings of a Symposium Held at the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC), Shepherdstown, West Virginia, April 6-9, 2001 On 6–9 April 2001, Native Americans and preservation professionals, […]
Frequently Asked Questions about Contaminated Museum Collections
Frequently Asked Questions about Contaminated Museum Collections Source: Department of Interior The U. S. Department of the Interior (DOI) provides the following notification to users and recipients of museum collections under the control of the Department that may contain toxic substances. “This document serves as official notice to the recipient that the items being repatriated, […]
Residual Pesticides
Residual Pesticides Source: American Museum of Natural History Before the invention of environmentally controlled museum spaces and integrated pest management techniques, museums commonly relied on pesticides to prevent pest infestation and damage. Natural history museums often contain extensive organic collections (e.g. taxidermy and entomology specimens, and study skins) and are especially vulnerable to pest activity. […]
An Introduction to Herbaria and Herbarium Practices
Recorded: Thursday, May 9, 2019
Feathers On and Off the Bird: Documenting and Caring for Featherwork
Recorded: October 11, 2018
Labelling Flow Chart (Version 4)
Labelling Flow Chart (Version 4) Source: Canadian Museum of Nature Researchers and curators label their diverse collections in various ways. This document is a decision tree to help with choosing the correct type of label and labeling materials for specimens and the specifications for the correct materials need to meet archival standards and terminology.
The Cabinet of Death: Tales of Conservation & Storage from the Mütter Abditory
Recorded: Thursday, March 22, 2018
The Care and Documentation of Ivory
Recorded: Wednesday, February 28, 2018
The Care of Feathers
The Care of Feathers Source: The Bishop Museum Art Conservation Handout The delicacy, resiliency, and exquisite beauty of feathers have captivated people for centuries. Almost every culture has used feathers in some manner to enhance personal adornments, sacred or ritual objects, and decorative arts. Feathers also have many functional uses, down comforters and quill pens […]