NPS Museum Handbook Part 1, Chapter 4: Museum Collections Environment Source: National Park Service This chapter provides information on how to protect museum collections from deterioration caused by interaction with the surrounding environment. From the moment an object is created, it begins to deteriorate. The factors that can cause or accelerate deterioration are called “agents […]
Risks to Collections Archives: Dust & Pollutants
How to brush vacuum an object
How to brush vacuum an object Source: Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (Australia) Removing dust and dirt by brush vacuuming (surface cleaning) can be very beneficial for many material types. However, removing dust and residues from objects should be carefully considered as they may provide clues about where and how an object was made, […]
Cleaning in Museums
Cleaning in Museums Source: Museums & Galleries of NSW (Australia) Regular cleaning of your museum is an essential part of good management practice. Your cleaning regime should take into consideration every part of the museum including the museum space, display and storage areas, and individual objects.
The use of commercial paints in museums
The Use of Commercial Paints in Museums Source: Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) This video provides answers to the commonly received questions: what paint should be used to avoid any damage to museum collections and how long should a painted surface be left to dry before objects can be exposed to it?
The Identification of Dust in Historic Houses
The Identification of Dust in Historic Houses Source: National Trust (UK) This booklet provides guidance in sampling, examination and interpretation of dust in historical houses and museums.
Museum Collections Environment
Museum Collections Environment Source: The updated (2016) NPS Museum Handbook, Chapter 4 on the Environment including temperature and relative humidity, light, monitoring, and general guidelines.
The Sustainable Heritage Network
The Sustainable Heritage Network Source: The Sustainable Heritage Network (SHN) is an answer to the pressing need for comprehensive workshops, online tutorials, and web resources dedicated to the lifecycle of digital stewardship. The SHN is a collaborative project that complements the work of indigenous peoples globally to preserve, share, and manage cultural heritage and knowledge.
Conserve-O-Gram 3/5 Volcanic Ash: Cleaning Museum Objects (NPS)
Conserve-O-Gram 3/5 Volcanic Ash: Cleaning Museum Objects Source: National Park Service (NPS) The eruptions of volcanoes, such as Mount Saint Helens, that release large quantities of ash in the atmosphere can create unusual cleaning problems for museums.
Airborne Particles in Museums
Airborne Particles in Museums Source: The Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) This study represents the latest in a series of research activities aimed at a better understanding of the origin and fate of air pollution within the built environment.
Indoor Air Pollution in Museums: An Introduction to Its Effects, Monitoring and Control
Indoor Air Pollution in Museums: An Introduction to Its Effects, Monitoring and Control Source: Restauro, vol. 8, 2001, pp. 613-619 Author: Morten Ryhl-Svendsen, National Museum of Denmark The effect of the indoor environment on museum objects has received an ever increasing awareness from museum and conservation staff during the 20th century. Effects caused by variations […]
