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 American Institute of Conservation's Sustainability Committee, in collaboration with the ICON Sustainability Network, is excited to announce the first 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 Wednesday February 22, 12:00-1:00pm EST, we will talk with Nancie Ravenel, Director of Conservation at the Shelburne Museum, and Patricia Silence, Director of Conservation Operations at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, about the energy-savings strategies implemented at their institutions, both of which are comprised of multiple historic and modern buildings on vast campuses with diverse collections of objects. 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