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  • 1.  Considerations for broadening museum climate requirements

    Posted 03-22-2023 12:32 PM
    As has been observed earlier on this forum, some museum policies have adhered for decades to strict, narrow, "gold standard" environmental boundaries especially pertaining to the lending of art works; this narrow view was reported in the New York Times not long ago, without consideration for the very large body of work developed over many years that examines what environmental conditions actually make sense, and why.

    It should be noted that for decades, conservators, scientists, and museum collections specialists have been exploring how museum environmental parameters can be broadened. A huge amount of this vital information is available on the web, perhaps unknown to the New York Times.

     

    As environmental parameters are broadened, a more individualized approach is needed to protect the most sensitive objects. Some will require specialized environments or narrower ranges of temperature and relative humidity. With these considerations in mind-along with concerns about energy consumption, the global economic downturn and stewardship of natural resources-the AIC's (American Institute for Conservation) Environmental Guidelines Working Group developed the following interim guidelines, which were presented at last June's AAMD (American Association of Museum Directors) meeting:

    For the majority of cultural materials, a set point in the range of 45–55% relative humidity with an allowable drift of +/-5%, yielding a total annual range of 40% minimum to 60% maximum and a temperature range of 59–77°F, is acceptable.
    • Fluctuations must be minimized.
    • Some cultural materials require different environmental conditions for their preservation.
    • Loan requirements for all objects should be determined in consultation with conservation professionals.

     

    Here is one of the best references from CCI (Canadian Conservation Institute), but even they continue to rearrange their online information web pages. They are now under Canada.ca.  This article summarizes the current ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) Chapter 24:
    https://www.canada.ca/en/conservation-institute/services/preventive-conservation/environmental-guidelines-museums.html

    Jennie Baker and Richard Kerschner wrote this bibliography back in 1998 under contract to the Getty citing work back to the 1970's.
    https://cool.culturalheritage.org/byauth/kerschner/ccbiblio.html

     

    Also of considerable importance is Richard Kerschner's paper , published by the Getty in 2007: https://www.getty.edu/conservation/our_projects/science/climate/paper_kerschner.pdf


    By all means, let us continue to research and educate in our field, while recognizing and making good use of all the available resources.

    A. Bruce MacLeish
    Curator Emeritus, Newport Restoration Foundation

    85 Lake Street
    Cooperstown, NY 13326
    (C) 401-265-8607


  • 2.  RE: Considerations for broadening museum climate requirements

    Posted 03-23-2023 10:44 AM

    Thanks for sharing this, Bruce. I recently attended a really interesting session at the Building Museums conference in Atlanta on this topic. Roger Chang of Buro Happold presented an interesting case study of a museum project where they re-evaluated environmental standards for the collection. They were able to realize savings in HVAC and building renovation costs while balancing the needs of collection care. 



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    John Shaw
    MUSEUM EXP
    creative direction | project management | experience development | traveling exhibitions
    Minneapolis MN
    john@museumexp.com
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  • 3.  RE: Considerations for broadening museum climate requirements

    Posted 03-24-2023 11:39 AM
    Hi Everyone, 

    This is one of the most important conversations stewards of collections can be having right now. In light of the growing climate crisis, it is important to remember that such narrow ranges are incredibly energy intensive and ultimately contribute to a warming climate that is destructive for cultural heritage around the world be it in archaeological sites or in museum collections located in floodplains or at risk for more intense hurricanes. Museums must take measures to reduce their energy consumption. As the recent IPCC report illustrates, we can't uphold the energy intensive approach of the past without putting a habitable planet and its cultural heritage at risk. What approach each institution takes depends on their buildings, facilities, and collection, but urgent action is needed.

    In an effort to share what collections stewards around the world are doing to minimize their energy usage while preserving their collections, the AIC Sustainability Committee has organized a series of talks. The next one will be March 28th with the Museums Wales. They are free and open to the public. More information can be found below:

    The energy used to heat, cool, de/humidify, and light buildings is one of the biggest environmental impacts of the cultural heritage sector.  After decades of regarding one-size-fits-all, non-fluctuating indoor environmental parameters as the gold standard, the field is now questioning the value of this approach, as this recent article in the New York Times attests ("As Energy Costs Bite, Museums Rethink a Conservation Credo" by Alex Marshall, published February 1, 2023). 


    The AIC Sustainability Committee, in collaboration with the ICON Sustainability Network, is excited to announce the next in a series of webinars during which we chat with conservators and allied professionals who are implementing changes to reduce the energy consumption of their buildings. 


    On Tuesday March 28 11 - 11:45 est, we will talk with Robert Pearce, Principal Preventive Conservator at Amgueddfa Cymru (Museum Wales) about the energy-savings strategies implemented at his institutions. Amgueddfa Cymru includes seven major museums and one collection center in Wales with collections encompassing art, archaeology, social history, botany and zoology, industry, and library and archives.  Amgueddfa Cymru uses multiple energy saving strategies to address the needs of its myriad collections and sites. The conversation will end with an audience Q&A.  


    Registration is free and open to the public! Sign up now at:  https://learning.culturalheritage.org/products/conversations-with-change-makers-strategies-for-reducing-the-energy-consumption-of-buildings-2




    --
    Associate Conservator, the Metropolitan Museum of Art
    Professional Associate, American Institute for Conservation
    Network Officer, Sustainability Committee




    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Considerations for broadening museum climate requirements

    Posted 03-23-2023 11:02 AM

    Thank you for sharing these links! This is a large and complex discussion, so having guidance and seeing how opinions have changed over the years is very helpful.



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    Alana Hollenbaugh
    Facilities and Tenant Services Coordinator
    Boston Children's Museum
    Boston MA
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  • 5.  RE: Considerations for broadening museum climate requirements

    Posted 03-27-2023 09:00 AM

    This is great. What is your opinion of the Bizot Green Protocol? It is the standard that I have heard referenced in regards to this issue.

    https://www.cimam.org/sustainability-and-ecology-museum-practice/bizot-green-protocol/



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    Douglas Flandro
    Exhibit Designer
    CambridgeSeven Associates, Inc.
    Cambridge MA
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