Where Are Donations Stored?
If my donation isn't on display, where does it go?
Objects that are not currently on exhibit go into the Museum's storage facility. Our storage holds several thousand objects that are currently not on display. We take special care so that these objects are preserved for as long as possible, to ensure that they will be able to be seen and studied in the future.
The storage facility might look a little different than you think. Objects and photographs are stored in many different ways depending on what the object is made of, its shape and size, and its current condition. Some common methods of storage are shown below.
Archival Boxes
The rows of blue boxes you see in our storage are archival boxes. This means that they are made of acid-free material so they are safe to use with objects for a long time. Inside the boxes, we may pack objects in inert plastics, like polyethelene bags or polyethelene foam.
Polyethelene foam is a great archival foam for packing a variety of materials. It provide cushion while not damaging or scratching the object. The foam comes in a variety of thicknesses so that we can cushion objects in different ways.
Another common packing material is tissue paper. Tissue paper can be unbuffered or buffered if the object leaches acids. Unbuffered can be used to wrap most objects and provide a cushion. Unbuffered tissue is good for laying inbetween historic documents, as the paper leaches acid over time.
Open Storage
Some objects are so large that we cannot put them in a box or bag. Instead we leave them in open storage on our steel shelving units. Underneath the object is a layer of thick foam to help support the object and stop it from being sctrached or moving around on the shelf.
These objects have to be examined every year to see if there is any dust or pest buildup! Certain bugs like to make their homes in objects, particularly things like cloth and leather. Doing a periodic check helps us stop bugs from harming these objects.
Documents, Books, and Photographs
Historic books, documents, or photographs are usually stored a little differently. We still use tissue paper to interweave between photographs and documents, but these collections are stored flat or sideways in folders and boxes. Photographs can also be stored in polyethelene sleeves, where one end is open to prevent any moisture buildup.
The photo on the left shows our book storage. Books are wrapped in plastic sleeves or acid-free cardstock. This protects the books from light damage and dust.