Preventive Conservation and the Exhibition Process: Development of Exhibit Guidelines and Standards for Conservation

Maney Publishing

Preventive Conservation and the Exhibition Process: Development of Exhibit Guidelines andStandards for ConservationAuthor(s): Toby J. RaphaelSource: Journal of the American Institute for Conservation, Vol. 44, No. 3 (Fall-Winter,2005), pp. 245-257Published by: Maney Publishing on behalf of The American Institute for Conservation of Historic &Artistic WorksStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/40025154 .

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PREVENTIVE CONSERVATION AND THE EXHIBITION PROCESS:

DEVELOPMENT OF EXHIBIT GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS FOR CONSERVATION

TOBY J.RAPHAEL

The exhibition is, in fact, a compromise between the reason that you acquire and save each object and those conditions that will preserve your objects for the longest period of time.

- Carolyn Rose

"La exhibicion es, en realidad, el termino medio entre la razon por la cual se adquiere y guarda cada objeto y aquellas condiciones que preservaran los objetos por el mayor tiempo posible."

- Carolyn L. Rose

ABSTRACT - Years of producing exhibits had shown that only by involving conservation early and

systematically throughout the exhibit process can a museum ensure preservation-friendly exhibitions. To address this need the National Park Service embarked on the development of a set of guidelines and standards to ensure the incorporation of conservation into exhibit planning, design, and production. This paper describes the objectives and results of the publication of the guidelines, the first phase of this project.

TITRE - La conservation preventive et les procedures d'expositions: Developpement de directives

d'exposition et de standards de conservation. RESUME - Des annees d' experience ont demontre

que le seul moyen d'assurer des expositions en harmonie avec les principes de conservation consiste a impliquer de facon systematique les restaurateurs au debut et tout au cours du processus d'exposition. Afin d'adresser ce besoin, le National Park Service (service des pares nationaux) s'est engage dans le developpement d'un ensemble de directives et de standards qui garantissent l'incorporation des principes de conservation dans la planification, le design et la production des expositions. Cet article decrit les objectifs et les resultats de la publication de ces directives, qui n'est en fait que la premiere partie de ce projet.

TITULO - La conservacion preventiva y el proceso de exhibicion: el desarrollo de pautas y estandares de conservacion para exhibiciones RESUMEN - Afios de experiencia produciendo exhibiciones habia mostrado que unicamente al involucrar la conservacion temprano y sistematicamente en el proceso de crear una exhibicion hacia posible que un museo

produjera exhibiciones que favorecieran la preser- vacion de los objetos. Para llenar esta necesidad el National Park Service (Servicio Nacional de Parques) comenzo a desarrollar unas pautas y estandares que aseguren que la conservacion sea incorporada en el proceso desde la planificacion, el disefio y la produc- cion de una exhibicion. Este articulo describe los objetivos y los resultados de la publicacion de las pautas, que es la primera fase de este proyecto.

TITULO - Conservacao preventiva e o processo de montagem de exposicao: Desenvolvimento de diretrizes para exposicao e normas de conservacao. RESUMO - Anos de experiencia produzindo exposicoes mostraram que, somente quando as ativi- dades de conservacao sao incorporadas ao processo de montagem de exposicoes desde o inicio, e de forma sistematica, o museu consegue assegurar exposicoes que levem em consideracao a preservacao. A fim de abordar essa necessidade, o National Park Service (Servico Nacional de Parques) comecou a desen- volver urn conjunto de diretrizes e normas, capazes de assegurar a incorporacao da conservacao ao plane- jamento, desenho e producao de exposicoes. Este artigo descreve os objetivos e os resultados da publi- cacao das diretrizes, primeira fase deste projeto.

1. INTRODUCTION

Throughout the 1980s and '90s, conservation requirements for exhibitions were confusing and elusive for the exhibit specialists, the many skilled individuals who focus on planning, designing, and fabricating museum exhibitions; this may include exhibit planners, developers, curators, designers, producers, and installers. No single resource for conservation guidance on exhibitions could be found, no source where alternative techniques or applications could be studied. Lack of awareness and understanding of this body of knowledge took a tremendous toll on the preservation of museum collections. Exhibit specialists were unable to find even simple answers to their conservation concerns, from appropriate exhibit rotation schedules for vulnerable objects to the requirements for silica gel humidity stabilization.

Because of the dearth of information on how to integrate preventive conservation in museum prac-

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tices, the author began writing technical notes on exhibit preservation subjects. These notes were included in a comprehensive set of guidelines entitled Exhibit Conservation Guidelines: Incorporating Conservation into Exhibit Planning, Design and Fabrication, which was published by the National Park Service (NPS) in 1999. The publication was written with the support and assistance of Conservators Martin Burke and Nancy Davis, and Exhibit Designer Kevin Brooks. Carolyn Rose, one of the founders of preventive conservation, painstakingly edited the manuscript and was adamant that her two principal concerns be emphasized, that conservators must become involved early in the exhibit process, and must be effective team players working cooperatively with exhibit planners and designers. Rose utilized the completed Guidelines extensively in her teaching both in this country and abroad.

This article will summarize the motivation for and development of both the Exhibit Conservation Guidelines and the Museum Conservation Standards for the

Development of Object-based Exhibitions, which is

currently being written. Due to its diverse goals and audiences, Guidelines includes several different formats: a narrative section provides the framework for introducing each individual guideline and its discussion points; technical notes supplement the guidelines with

examples; and technical drawings illustrate conservation details regarding exhibit case design. The Standards are being developed to address the need for more

prescriptive requirements that will incorporate conservation concerns into exhibition design.

2. CONFLICTING RESPONSIBILITIES

Museum exhibition is where a collision can occur between conflicting responsibilities to not only preserve collections but to use them as well. Over the past century the mandates for preservation and use have been regarded as inherently incompatible. In other words, exhibition and the use of objects are at the opposite end of the spectrum from collections

preservation. It is our goal to create another

dynamic where use of collections does not necessar-

ily conflict with their preservation in perpetuity. In recent years, progressive and innovative approaches have resulted in considerable advances, and exhibit conservation has taken root and is developing into a distinct specialty.

The goal of exhibit conservation is to design and

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produce preservation-friendly exhibits that attract and inform the public. After decades of exhibit experience we are convinced that the safe display of cultural material does not need to compromise sound design or informative interpretation. The

perceived conflict of the past, the tension between

preservation and use, can be alleviated or at least

greatly diminished. The overall challenge is to produce exhibitions

that systematically integrate preservation criteria into the exhibit planning, design, and fabrication

processes. A successful museum exhibit can fulfill its educational intent, be aesthetically engaging, and

conscientiously protect the objects on display.

3. THE COMMON RISKS OF EXHIBITION

Behind the effort to regulate the exhibit development process is the fact that museums, naturally, put their most significant objects on display and, by doing so, place these collections at much greater risk than if

they had remained under the controlled conditions of

protective storage. It is these risks that must be addressed in a systematic manner, and exhibit specialists, until recently have had little help in discovering what are the "givens" and what are the "options" in terms of conservation.

The NPS, like the Smithsonian Institution, is

responsible for caring for this country's national collections. NPS collections, approximately 100 million items, are generally located at or near their

original historic locations. As a result, they are almost

always exhibited in buildings not originally designed as museums and which do not meet museum standards. Understandably, the concept of the exhibit micro-environment has come to play a central role in

preserving any cultural resources put on display in these challenging environments.

A well-designed and well-engineered exhibit case can provide a highly effective micro-environment. When designed and fabricated under the oversight of

knowledgeable conservators, the exhibit case becomes the most important and cost-effective tool for preserving vulnerable collections. The NPS has begun to refer to these enclosures as conservation-grade exhibit cases. From the perspective of sustainability, the micro-environmental approach to exhibiting vulnerable collections makes perfect sense. Energy consumption is reduced. The need to install costly, building-wide air

controlling systems to meet museum standards is alle-



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viated. Accordingly, the exhibit case is considered central to preservation technology and is a major focus of discussion and specifications.

Although display in cases and vitrines has been the norm for most museum exhibits, the pitfalls and benefits of conventional display enclosures are only now being calculated by conservation specialists and shared with exhibit specialists. The assumption has been that the traditional display case is an effective means of miti- gating damage while objects remain on exhibit. The truth is that, until now, exhibit specialists have had little information about the impact of common exhibit cabi- netry on vulnerable collections or the degree to which they actually provide protection. As more is learned about the traditional exhibit cabinet from scientists, there is serious reason to be concerned. Research indicates that the exhibit case has an alarming potential for exacerbating the deterioration of its contents.

The strategy to promote is that a properly engineered enclosure has an equally great potential for protecting and preserving vulnerable collections. When objects on display are housed in well-designed and carefully fabricated cases, they can be effectively preserved at levels remarkably close to those provided in storage. The one risk or mechanism of change that is by definition different from storage conditions is exposure to light. Recent developments in technology, however, are giving us new ways to circumvent this agent of deterioration: witness the huge variety of commercially available visitor-driven occupancy sensors and white light LED lighting systems that do not produce ultraviolet or infrared radiation. The technology is now available for museum staff to require that their display enclosures methodically preserve their collections in conservation-grade cabi- netry. When procuring new casework, NPS museums will soon have access to new tools to specify what preservation features and levels of performance are to be expected.

4. BARRIERS TO CONSERVATION- FRIENDLY EXHIBITIONS

The exhibit development process followed by the NPS, and that of most cultural institutions, has not fostered collaboration among the museum exhibit

specialists and conservators. Too often the process has

engendered isolation of the team players and poor communication among these specialists. For a number of complex reasons the process, or lack of process, seems to fall short of producing the well-balanced

solutions that are needed for a fully successful exhibition. For instance, in reality: • Different exhibit specialists rarely utilize a stan-

dardized process for developing exhibits. • There are few routine procedures for incorporat-

ing conservation concerns. • Rarely do exhibit designs take full advantage of

both the most current design possibilities and state-of the-art preservation features.

• Rarely are summative evaluations included to establish whether an exhibition is successful from a preservation standpoint. One reason museum exhibitions do not consis-

tently achieve the highest level of preservation is because of deficiencies in general staff preparation and training. There is a lack of cross-training between exhibit specialists and conservators, and it is fair to say that neither of these museum specialists is prepared to interact success- fully. Just as there is too little focus on the exhibit process within conservation training programs, conservation training for exhibit specialists is mostly non-existent. • Within conservation training programs, exhibit

developers, planners, and designers are rarely seen and familiarity with the exhibit development process is, for the most part, not emphasized.

• Because formal training programs are rare, museum exhibit planners and designers often have little familiarity with conservation, and specialists in commercial firms have even less opportunity to actually work with a conservator.

• Museum personnel, in general, are not taught the importance of balancing preservation and use criteria for exhibitions, and most have not had access to written guidance on how to facilitate conservation-friendly exhibitions. The lack of a methodical development process for

exhibits and a deficient understanding of how to incorporate conservation concerns frequently creates an impasse resulting in frustration and unwillingness to compromise. Project after project has shown that where poor communication persists, low expectations and unhelpful assumptions come into play. Many exhibit specialists hold the belief that conservators are uncompromising and are not friends of the exhibition but merely advocates for the collections. Preservation requirements and exhibit conservation features can be complex and often appear elusive to exhibit specialists. Collection and conservation staffs often lack the experience and technical understanding needed to communicate their needs in ways that designers and fabricators can understand. Conservators are rarely

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TOBY J.RAPHAEL

248

comfortable reading blueprint drawings and using the design/fabrication language of specifications.

These communication limitations have served to limit access to the body of conservation knowledge, which has, in turn, had a serious and negative impact on the exhibit process and ultimately the collections. To begin to address this problem, the author began to develop conservation guidelines designed to improve the working relationship between conservators and exhibit specialists.

5. POLLING OF COLLEAGUES

Before initiating the project to develop conservation guidelines and a plan for developing standards, dozens of colleagues involved in producing museum exhibitions and supplying conservation advice were infor- mally surveyed. The findings of the survey revealed seriously conflicting viewpoints.

Nearly all of the conservation specialists inter- viewed expressed a belief that the exhibit processes that they were involved in did not adequately or systematically incorporate the preservation needs of the collections going onto display. Preservation specialists felt that they had the long-term picture in view, while the exhibit specialists focused on short-term use of collections. When polled, conservators indicated encountering several problems working with exhibit planners and designers, such as: • undervaluing the well-being of exhibited objects • continual design changes requiring the reinven-

tion of conservation solutions • not learning from the previous exhibit conserva-

tion experiences • not including conservation specifications on

drawings • resistance to producing mock-ups and prototypes

The poll indicated that many exhibit designers believed that conservation advice was given without

regard for the project budget, and if accepted, often would compromise exhibit design and the exhibition's effectiveness. More specifically, when polled, exhibit planners and designers readily pointed to several problems with the conservation recommendations they were given: • inconsistent information and variation from

conservator to conservator • information offered at inopportune times • limited communication skills and familiarity with

design language

• vague recommendations and unrealistic performance expectations

• solutions and recommendations were too often untested

• limited regard for financial consequences of recommendations Obviously divergent viewpoints were not help-

ing the exhibit process. Everyone surveyed knew the situation needed to be addressed.

6. DEVELOPING THE GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS

To address this need a two-phase preventive conservation project was embarked upon: first, to create a

preservation framework, Guidelines, and second, to

provide a more prescriptive tool, Standards, to ensure that conservation be incorporated effectively in NPS exhibits. Another underlying goal was to develop a sense of shared responsibility for collection conservation, as preservation-friendly exhibits require a close, constructive working relationship between exhibit and conservation specialists.

The overall goal of phase one was to provide the

specialists with the preservation information they need. Completed and published by NPS in 1999, Guidelines is summarized in the Appendix. This publication aims to: • organize and give access to existing technical

information • facilitate access to recent developments in the field • improve interdisciplinary communication • share accumulated exhibit experience and lessons

learned • unify and consolidate preservation recommenda-

tions • connect preservation theory to actual applica-

tions and products relevant to exhibits The second phase of the project, the publication

of Standards, is needed because the Guidelines do not include prescriptive or mandatory requirements. The standards are to play a different role, ensuring that: • conservation concerns are addressed early in the

process • exhibits include conservators in the critical

aspects of the exhibit timeline • baseline considerations widely known in the field

are incorporated • responsibility for preservation is widely shared • conservation criteria are established and are influ-

ential in exhibit design

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• recommended practices and the alternative

options are known • appropriate levels of conservation response are

considered • buildable and maintainable designs are generated • actual performance is acceptable • solutions are found within budget and timetable

Standards and specifications exist for nearly every product and material found in NPS museums, but

ironically, not for use of the museum exhibition collections on display. A set of properly developed standards, basic requirements and specifications to ensure responsible preservation practices, could give museum specialists a much-needed tool for: 1) under-

standing preservation features and levels of performance that can be expected of museum exhibits; and, 2) providing criteria to judge compliance and accept- ability. Such a document is increasingly being considered indispensable for our institution to meet its

preservation mandate, and could serve other cultural institutions as well, by providing an important tool for

creating preservation-responsible exhibits. The drawbacks of using standards were appreci-

ated. Standards can outlive their usefulness, restrict

creativity, be difficult to enforce and difficult to measure. Conservation standards were needed that would allow for a degree of flexibility; therefore, the standards being written strive to affect the process by which exhibitions are created, not to standardize the end product.

Standards is being developed to address two

aspects of museum exhibitions: • Section 1 . Conservation standards for developing

museum exhibits • Section 2. Conservation specifications for design-

ing and constructing museum exhibit cases Exhibit specialists have a national organization

and it is the National Association for Museum Exhibitions (NAME) of the American Association of Museums. This organization has endorsed the NPS Conservation Standards project and anticipates that there will be many opportunities to benefit from the NPS research and findings through future publica- tions, workshops and shared training programs.

7. ENSURING CONSERVATION A PLACE IN THE EXHIBIT PROCESS

Having the Guidelines in place has assisted the NPS to

integrate conservation practices into its museum exhibition process. Diagrams and lists of conservation

activities were included to ensure understanding and to clarify the process. In particular, projects have benefited that utilize exhibit contractors, on whom the NPS increasingly relies. The NPS, like many large museums, depends on exhibit firms to develop and produce new exhibits and these firms are provided a copy of the Guidelines. Each firm is also offered intro- ductory training on the use of the document and a discussion with an NPS exhibit conservator. Since publication five years ago, the Guidelines have been used outside the Park Service in dozens of museums nationally and internationally, and have been trans- lated into Spanish and Vietnamese.

The creation of exhibit standards is now possible partly because of advancements within the exhibits industry and conservation field, and because of the familiarity exhibit firms now have with the Guidelines. Display technology and construction materials are now available which allow exhibit specialists to better balance the need to present and interpret museum collections with the conservation features necessary to protect them from needless loss.

After several decades of work with exhibit specialists and conservators, it has become apparent that a conservation standards document is critical to our shared goal of ensuring collection safety in museum exhibitions. Written standards will facilitate the inclusion of conservation by everyone involved; conservation features can be more easily specified and included as routine exhibit components. These standards can be included in contracts from the beginning, thus becoming an integral part of the

procurement process. Other expected benefits include: • The quality of exhibits will be more uniform.

Discrepancies between diverse firms with strong backgrounds in conservation and those with little experience will be minimized and collections will not suffer as a result of these differences.

• Debate will be curtailed. Unnecessary discussion will be shortened or eliminated, such as, "When does an exhibit merit an exhibit conservator being assigned?" or "When must an exhibit case be used to display vulnerable objects?"

• Less time and resources will be spent reinventing conservation solutions. During the planning and design phases a tremendous amount of time is spent re- establishing basic preservation requirements and re-exploring well-known approaches.

• More responsive design will result. Exhibit objects face diverse levels of risk in different exhibits;

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however, the categories of risks stay the same. Standards will allow conservation dialog to focus on the specific design development that will withstand the levels of risks presented.

8. CONCLUSION

Because of a lack of easily available, well organized information, exhibit specialists who plan, design, and produce museum exhibitions have had difficulty knowing how to incorporate preservation features into their work. Accordingly, the lack of awareness and understanding of this body of knowledge has taken a serious toll on the preservation of displayed collections. Preventive conservation techniques and technology are highly relevant to this group of professionals; however, communication is infrequent between conservation and exhibit specialists.

As an exhibition conservator with the NPS at

Harpers Ferry Center, the author was given the opportunity to lead an effort to develop a comprehensive set of guidelines and standards directed at improving the conservation of collections going onto exhibit. The Exhibit Conservation Guidelines published five years ago has had a very positive impact towards achieving well- balanced exhibitions. The next step, currently under development, is the formulation and publication of conservation standards for the production of fully successful, preservation-friendly exhibitions.

APPENDIX: A SUMMARY OF STRATEGIES AND PRACTICES FOR PRESERVATION-FRIENDLY EXHIBITIONS

(From Exhibit Conservation Guidelines with

permission of the author)

A. INTEGRATED PLANNING

Conservation and the Exhibit Process

Integrating Conservation into the Exhibit Process

• Integrate conservation early in the exhibit planning phase. Make a commitment to preserving objects placed on exhibit by including conserva-

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tion concerns throughout the development and

production of the exhibit. • Provide adequate time and resources. Build in

enough time for development and review of technical designs, case prototypes, lighting mockups, and the testing of proposed materials. The schedule must allow for safe handling, exhibit mount

making, and installation of objects. Include the costs of addressing preservation issues, such as treatment and special casework, in the budget.

The Exhibit Team

• Work cooperatively. Each team member should take responsibility for understanding basic conservation issues and working with other members to achieve preservation-responsible displays. The search for balanced and appropriate solutions often requires compromise.

• Hire supportive design staff. Use designers who are experienced in working with exhibit conservators and firms that have a history of producing preservation-responsible exhibits.

• Demand high construction standards. Develop drawings and specifications that clearly articulate the intended conservation features; consider

including performance criteria. Oversee production contractors to ensure that conservation

components are built as specified.

The Role of the Exhibit Conservator

• Include an exhibit conservator on the exhibit team. Select a conservator who is qualified in the

specialty of exhibit conservation. Often, a part- time consultant is sufficient.

• Involve the exhibit conservator in the earliest

stages and throughout the exhibit planning, design, fabrication, and installation process. An exhibit conservator should set conservation criteria, attend planning meetings, review conservation-related decisions and designs, and assess

prototypes and exhibit work after installation.

Preservation-Responsible Planning

Selecting Objects

• Select appropriate display objects. Make the selection in conjunction with a conservator who



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can establish the current condition of the object and the preparation and care required before and

during the exhibit. • Avoid selecting too many objects. Review the

number of objects that can be accommodated safely within the available space.

• Consider the aesthetics of each object. Object selection should include curatorial review of the visual message presented. Incomplete, deteriorated, or dirty objects may require extensive treatment.

• Avoid permanent exhibit of objects. Consider rotating vulnerable objects, substituting alternate

objects, or using reproductions. When possible, use a reproduction to demonstrate the function of an object.

• Allow enough time and resources to safely prepare, mount, install, or replicate exhibit

objects.

Establishing Conservation Criteria

• Review the objects. Examine each object chosen for display to determine its current condition and individualize its conservation requirements. Complete a written condition assessment of the objects.

• Establish necessary but realistic conservation criteria. Base the requirements on an assessment of the individual objects, the likely environment in the exhibit space, and current conservation research.

• Address the conservation criteria. Incorporate the conservation recommendations into the exhibit design. The designer, conservator, curator, and other team members must work cooperatively to ensure practical display methods that preserve the objects.

Collections Management

• Ensure safe handling. Provide training for anyone who handles an object during the exhibit

process. Dedicate a clean, secure space for temporary storage of objects during exhibit development, construction, and installation.

• Stabilize all objects. Have a conservator document their condition and provide a treatment

proposal for those that need care. Secure the

necessary funding for treating unstable objects before display.

• Document objects. An exhibit object list should include the accession or catalogue number of each object. Photographs of the objects and floor

plans marked with object location facilitate security and condition checks.

• Protect objects during photography. Limit an object's total exposure to light, and avoid over- heating objects with studio lights. Use a flash system, especially for light-sensitive objects. Always provide appropriate support for objects.

B. EXHIBIT DESIGN STRATEGIES

Appropriate Design Solutions

Multilevel Conservation Response

• Choose an appropriate and efficient response from among the multiple options available. Consider what level of protection is obtainable and what kinds of tradeoffs each will impose on the conservation criteria.

• Consider both macro and micro approaches. Weigh the benefits and costs of addressing conservation criteria throughout the exhibition against creating micro solutions using exhibit cases.

Exhibit Format and Layout

• Use enclosed display when possible. Avoid open display except in historic house museums and some gallery settings or when an object's size makes enclosure impractical. Open display should never be a routine exhibition option or one chosen solely for financial reasons.

• Allow sufficient room for traffic flow. Design the exhibit to avoid accidents. Provide adequate space through the exhibit and around exhibit cases for the easy movement of individuals, groups, and people in wheelchairs.

• Group similar objects. Consolidating the location of collections with similar conservation criteria will make it easier and cheaper to meet the design goals.

Understanding the Exhibit Environment

Temperature and Relative Humidity

• Know the environment. Monitor an exhibit space for one year to obtain baseline information

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about the temperature and relative humidity. Review these environmental data for each exhibit to determine if existing conditions meet the conservation criteria.

• Control the environment within the entire exhibit space. In general, keep temperature between 60 and 70°F (15.5 and 21°C) and relative humidity between 40 and 60%, eliminating rapid cycling of temperature and relative humidity. (Requirements for special objects and certain geographical areas may vary.)

• Locate sensitive objects in the most stable locations. Do not place moisture-sensitive collections in the path of direct sunlight, near heating or air-conducting ducts, against external walls, or in damp locations such as basements. Avoid putting cases and framed works along exterior walls.

• Provide additional control for sensitive objects. Use sealed cases to slow air exchange and thus stabilize environments inside cases. When called for, create a microclimate by incorporating silica gel or other climate control products within cases that contain moisture-sensitive materials.

Particulate Contamination

• Enclose sensitive objects. Use high-efficiency filters in HVAC equipment to remove particles down to 1-0.3 microns (60-80%). Change filters regularly.

• Use localized filtration equipment. If improving filtration throughout the museum is not feasible, consider using room-sized units in construction areas or within the exhibit space.

Chemical Pollutants

• Monitor pollutants. Assess the air quality within the museum to establish the ambient level of contaminants. This knowledge will point to the measures necessary to meet the conservation criteria for an exhibit.

• Incorporate chemical filters in the environmental

systems. For susceptible collections or in highly polluted locations, include activated charcoal or

potassium permanganate filters in the environmental system.

• Provide air circulation. Adequate air circulation will lower total concentrations; high rates of airflow over or near objects, however, increases their exposure. Design the exhibit layout to mini-

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mize the objects' exposure to pollutants. • Select stable construction materials. Avoid mate-

rials known to outgas, become acidic, or lose their physical or chemical stability with age.

• Aerate the exhibition space before object installation. Allow time for initial levels of outgassing from new materials to dissipate.

• Enclose sensitive collections. Cases that incorporate a chemical pollutant scavenger provide a

high level of protection for sensitive objects.

Exhibit Lighting

• Develop a lighting plan that responds to the established conservation criteria. Produce the

plan early in the process to allow enough time for coordination of the complex issues that determine final lighting choices and levels.

• Limit total light exposure. Provide separate lighting for security checks, exhibit cleaning and maintenance, object installation, and other routine work. Turn off lights during nonpublic hours so as not to expose objects to light unnec-

essarily. When possible, use occupancy sensors in the room or at the case to turn lighting on and off during visitation hours.

• Filter all sources of ultraviolet radiation. Use

commercially available filters on all light sources to reduce the levels of ultraviolet radiation to 10 microwatts per lumen.

• Control infrared radiation. Locate objects at least 24 inches from fluorescent lights and at least 36 inches from incandescent or tungsten halogen lights.

• Exclude sunlight. Design new exhibit spaces that

prevent daylight from reaching display objects. Daylight that is already present in the exhibit

space should be filtered for UV radiation and lowered in intensity.

• Construct lighting mockups to evaluate the amount and quality of light provided by the

proposed lighting plan. Measure final light levels and adjust them accordingly during installation.

Biological Infestation

• Examine objects for signs of infestation and active mold as part of the preliminary condition check. If signs of infestation are found, consult a conservator about treatment options.

• Design exhibits to inhibit infestations. Make sure



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the exhibit area is insect-proof by screening open windows or doors, filling gaps in the building construction, and avoiding gaps and undercuts where dust can collect.

• Enclose objects. When the risk of infestation is high, place susceptible objects inside well-sealed cases or sealed acrylic boxes to prevent new infestation. Limit the gaps and holes to prevent insect entry.

• Avoid introducing insects through props and unchecked exhibit materials. Do not use wool carpets and other materials that attract and harbor insects. Avoid using organic exhibit props. Fumigate vegetative props or expose them to freezing temperatures before bringing them into the museum.

• Control human behaviors that encourage infestation. During exhibit production and installation and after the exhibit opens, never allow food in the object holding areas or the exhibit space, even if no objects are in the area.

Physical Security

• Conduct a risk assessment. Identify the likelihood of theft and vandalism. Provide protection against human damage. Exhibits in a museum with a history of vandalism and theft may require additional security measures.

• Provide the appropriate level of protection. Tailor security features to the vulnerability of the objects. Highly vulnerable and valuable objects require more sophisticated protection measures than others.

• Use secure case hardware. Mount objects to panels or shelves, bolt freestanding cases to the floor, and lock exhibit cases.

• Facilitate authorized curatorial access to the objects. Each object in an exhibit should be readily removable without having to remove or disturb adjacent objects.

Emergency Preparedness and Fire Protection

• Develop fire protection and emergency response plans. The museum staff should have an emer-

gency plan for each exhibit space. The plans should minimize threats to museum objects, protecting them during a disaster, during their evacuation, and after a disaster.

• Perform a risk assessment and address potential problems. Anticipate the types of damage that may occur to display objects. For example, avoid placing objects, especially if they are water-sensitive, in the path of fire sprinkler heads.

C. EXHIBIT CASE DESIGN

Conservation and Case Design

Designing a Conservation-Grade Case

• Design cases as protective enclosures. Take advantage of a well-designed case to control the microenvironment of sensitive collections. A case designed with the participation of an exhibit conservator is an efficient and often cost-effective way to meet conservation criteria for an object.

• Establish performance criteria. Determine what conservation features will be built into each case, and clearly identify performance criteria for each feature. Design the case to provide this performance.

• When possible, build and test a prototype case to decide whether it meets design objectives. Modify the case until acceptable performance is achieved.

• Provide detailed, explicit drawings and specifications. Inspect cases during fabrication to ensure that the fabricators stick to specifications and construction tolerances.

• Test the fully assembled case in its final location to ensure that conservation criteria have been met. Such testing should occur before object installation to allow for adjustments.

Case Stability, Security, and Access

• Construct a physically stable, structurally secure case. Limit vibration by using movement damp- ening devices. Include space for weight ballast to prevent jarring and tipping.

• Provide appropriate security features. Choose from security options to include the level of protection that the design team considers prudent. The case strength, resistance, and security devices should match the projected threat from vandalism and theft.

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• Provide for legitimate access. Incorporate doors or other practical access options in the case design. Ensure that a single person can enter the case and remove artifacts with ease and in a short amount of time.

Sealed Exhibit Cases

• Use sealed display cases when appropriate. Determine which objects, if any, require protective microenvironments, and design cases

accordingly. • Design well-sealed cases with tight joints and

with gaskets around all removable panels and entry doors. Choose construction materials that limit air exchange and, for climate-controlled case designs, are not moisture-permeable. Well- sealed cases should allow no more than one

complete air exchange every 72 hours. • Use conservation-approved sealants. Minimize

leaks with adequate gaskets and caulk. Always choose materials that do not outgas.

• Test case performance. When possible, use leak detection equipment to identify air leaks and determine air exchange rates. Modify the case

design or add caulk and gaskets to reduce leakage.

Ventilated Exhibit Cases

• Use ventilated cases for appropriate applications. Select vented cases for use in an exhibit space with a good climate-control and pollutant-control system that functions 24 hours a

day. • Control the design and construction of ventilated

cases. Design well-sealed cases, and place an adequate number of vents to provide for air movement. Filter the vents to prevent dust, insects, and chemical pollutants from being drawn into the case.

• Use positive-pressure cases when appropriate. Museums with good climate-control systems may be able to use these cases, which are easier and cheaper to build because they do not have to be well-sealed.

Lighting Design within Cases

• Isolate lights from the display chamber. Place all lighting fixtures outside the display area of a case. Contain any lights that are integral to the case in

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a separate compartment. Seal off the lighting chamber to prevent the entry of insects, heat, and dust into the display chamber.

• Reduce heat gain and temperature cycling. Ventilate the lighting chamber to dissipate heat from fixtures and lamps. In larger cases or cases located in enclosed spaces, electric fans may be

required. Heat gain inside the display chamber should be no more than 2°F when lights are turned on.

• Incorporate heat-reflecting and insulating materials when necessary. Consider heat-reflecting glass or double-glazed construction for panels that separate the lighting chamber. To help prevent heat buildup, use metal products to construct the chamber and insulate lighting compartments below the display area.

• Develop an appropriate case lighting plan. Choose a lighting system that allows sufficient distance between lamps and separation panel. Control heat buildup in the lighting chamber

by using efficient, low-voltage systems, reduc-

ing lamp wattage, and, when necessary, using fans.

Microclimates within Exhibit Cases

Humidity-Control Principles

• Design a well-sealed case that will support humidity control. To achieve an effective microenvironment, minimize the air exchange between the case and the room. No more than 1 air exchange per 72 hours is recommended.

• Provide adequate air circulation within the case. Use a perforated deck or a floating deck with a

perimeter gap to allow air to circulate throughout the display chamber and the maintenance chamber.

• Provide separate access for maintenance. Climate-control equipment and materials in both active and passive systems will need to be main- tained and adjusted.

• Test the case before enclosing objects. Ensure that the humidity inside the case meets the conservation criteria.

• Monitor the interior relative humidity for the duration of the exhibit. If identical cases are used, systematic sampling may be adequate.



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Active and Passive Humidity Control

• Establish whether the goal is stabilization or control. Stabilizing the humidity inside a case is usually sufficient unless objects require a highly restrictive or specific RH range.

• Select an appropriate method. Use mechanical systems cautiously, and choose specific equipment carefully. When using a passive system, design the case to include a holding area for the moisture- absorbent medium with easy access for maintenance.

• Provide safeguards for mechanical systems. Locate equipment in a maintenance area that does not transfer heat or vibration to the objects. Provide a constant power supply (including emergency generators), a monitoring alarm to alert staff to equipment malfunction, and adequate water supply and drain lines.

• Include appropriate and sufficient moisture- absorbent materials for passive control.

Systematically calculate the quantity and type of silica gel or cellulosic materials to be used.

• Test and monitor the case. Evaluate the initial performance of active or passive systems before enclosing objects. Monitor the relative humidity for the duration of the exhibit to alert staff when maintenance is required.

Pollution-Control Systems

• Incorporate enough absorber to remove pollutants for six months to one year. Objects must never touch a chemical absorber.

• Ensure unrestricted airflow. Case design should encourage air movement across the surface of the

pollutant absorber. Ensure that the case is well- sealed.

• Provide access to change the absorber. A small access port can serve both moisture and pollutant absorbers.

• Maintain the absorber. Renewal of activated charcoal is critical to prevent secondary outgassing. To ensure continual filtration, both activated charcoal and potassium permanganate must be replaced when exhausted.

D. EXHIBIT FABRICATION, INSTALLATION, AND MAINTENANCE

Case Construction Materials

Choosing Stable Materials

• Use high-quality, non-hazardous materials close to objects, within case interiors, and in exhibit furniture. Select high quality, conservation-safe materials; avoid materials known to outgas, become acidic, or lose their physical or chemical stability. Consult lists of materials that have been researched, talk with other museum professionals, and test proposed materials.

• Avoid adhesives when possible. If necessary within the object display area, use a conservation- quality adhesive with a successful track record in exhibits, such as one based on tested resins -

acrylic, polyvinyl acetate, or certain high-temperature heat-activated adhesives.

• Review the composition of commercial interior finishes. Select nonhazardous paints and finishes, such as formulations based on 100% acrylic resin for wood or metal surfaces and powder coatings for metal surfaces.

• Allow sufficient curing time before installing objects. Approved caulk sealants and finishes require a minimum of three weeks to reduce emissions.

• Isolate objects from painted or varnished surfaces. Separate objects with a mount or a layer of inert paper, foil, or other acceptable barrier, such as polyethylene or polyester sheeting.

• Select and attach decorative fabrics with care. Check fabrics for dye stability and fastness; prewash and dry them before installation to preshrink and remove excess dyes and finishes. Use a mechanical attachment method or sew fabric to itself; archival-quality double-sided adhesive tape is useful for temporary exhibits.

Using Less Stable Materials

• Use the least hazardous materials, and isolate objects from them. When problematic materials cannot be avoided, select low-acid, low- outgassing, formaldehyde-free products.

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• Seal or isolate all wood products. Apply barrier coatings, foils, or laminates to isolate raw wood and wood-composite surfaces that are close to objects, especially within exhibit cases.

• Aerate the case. After applying coatings and sealants, allow enough time for curing before installing objects. A minimum of three weeks is recommended, with case doors open and vitrine bonnets removed.

• Isolate objects from problematic surfaces. Wood products, even when coated, must not come into direct contact with objects. Physically isolate objects with safe fabric coverings, acid-free paper or board, foil, or an acceptable plastic barrier such as polyester or polyethylene sheeting.

Exhibit Fabrication, Installation, and Maintenance

Design and Fabrication of Exhibit Mounts

• Design and fabricate mounts for object installation ahead of time. Use a qualified mounting specialist who has conservation training; some objects require the direct involvement of a conservator. How an object will be displayed and what type of mount is required are early design decisions.

• Protect the integrity of the object. No object can be physically altered or dismantled to accommo- date placement or mounting in the exhibit. Objects must not be drilled, trimmed, tacked, nailed, taped, screwed down, or glued down. Use mechanical designs to lock mounts in place.

• Support the entire object. The object's center of gravity or originally intended attitude should be considered when designing a mount. Support provided by the mount must prevent physical stress or unbalanced weight distribution.

• Provide adequate support for flexible objects. Create custom-padded mounts for organic materials that support the structure over its entire contour. Textiles, papers, organic materials, and other susceptible objects should not be creased or folded, nor should heavy objects be placed directly on top of them.

• Support all parts independently. Fragile objects, including textiles, should be supported over as large an area as practical. Attached parts,

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such as straps, may require independent support.

• Stabilize objects from vibration. The mount

design should reduce vibration when a case is

bumped. A cushioning material is often required. The mount should fit the object evenly to

prevent abrasion. • Ensure the security of framed works. Attach them

to the wall with appropriate hardware such as "D" hooks and braided metal wire. Anchor the wall fastener firmly to the wall and be sure that it can support the weight of the framed object.

Exhibit Production and Object Installation

• Avoid transporting objects into production areas. Ensure the safety of objects during measurement and fitting sessions. Implement techniques to reduce, contain, and collect dust in areas where

objects must be transported. • Inspect exhibit assemblages that affect objects.

Include several inspections during the production phase to ensure that the preservation elements are built to specifications. Test and approve exhibit cases with conservation features before object installation.

• Complete construction before object installation. The exhibit area should be cleared of debris and dust.

• Evaluate the exhibit team's performance. Review the exhibit process and evaluate the exhibit environment to assess how well the final product addressed the initial conservation concerns. Introduce any improvements and adjustments to the exhibit process for the next project.

• Provide a maintenance manual. Document the construction details, lighting, and conservation features for future reference. Outline procedures and schedules for maintaining the exhibit and conservation criteria for the objects.

• Monitor exhibit conditions. Assign a staff member to inspect the objects daily. Any controlled environment - either in the overall exhibit space or in a case - must be monitored to

identify when maintenance is necessary. • Perform necessary maintenance. Replenish rela-

tive humidity and pollutant control systems as needed. When replacing lamps, refer to the maintenance plan for the lamp type and aim of the beam. Monitor light levels after the new lamps have been installed.



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• Keep the exhibit area clean. A regular cleaning schedule facilitates preservation of the objects and offers an opportunity to assess any change in the conditions of the exhibit or the objects. Consult a conservator for appropriate methods and products.

• Plan ahead for the safe movement of objects. During object rotations and inspections or at the close of the exhibit, systematic removal of objects is necessary and requires proper equipment. Before beginning demolition of an exhibit, ensure that objects are carefully removed.

SUPPLIERS

Exhibit Conservation Guidelines, published as a CD- ROM by the National Park Service, can be ordered from the Harpers Ferry Historical Association (tele- phone 800-821-5206); also available from vendor

University Products, Inc.

REFERENCE

NPS. 1999. Exhibit Conservation Guidelines: Incorporating Conservation into Exhibit Planning, Design and Fabrication;

Harpers Ferry, WV: Division of Conservation, Harpers Ferry Center; CD-ROM publication; http://www.nps. gov/hfc/products/cons/ex-con-guidelines.htm. U.S. National Park Service.

TOBY RAPHAEL is a museum conservator special- izing in exhibitions. He has served as an exhibit conservation coordinator in countless exhibits nationwide, including the Ellis Island Museum of

Immigration, the exhibition of the Declaration of

Independence at Independence Hall, and exhibits at Lincoln's Birthplace, Manzanar, and the Selma to

Montgomery March. He has organized seminars and

workshops on various exhibition/conservation topics for the American Institute for Conservation, of which he is a Fellow, and for the National Association for Museum Exhibitions, of which he is currently Conservation Advisor. In 1990 he was a Fellow at the

Getty Conservation Institute; in 1993 and 2001 he received Fulbright Fellowships to teach conservation in Latin America; and in 2005 he was awarded an ICCROM Fellowship in Rome to create conservation standards for development of new exhibitions. Address: PO Box 819, Shepardstown, WV 25443; [email protected]

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Documents

Preventive Conservation and the Exhibition Process: Development of Exhibit Guidelines and Standards for Conservation