Michael,
Here at Redcliffe Plantation we decided that "less is more" in regards to
the use of stanchions. A year ago we removed all but one roped off area in
our Greek-Revival mansion which has allowed our visitors to enter the rooms
for the first time.  We have received positive feedback from the change-our
visitors tell us they now get a better 'feel' of the mansion's interior. Of
course, protection of the collections is the primary consideration in
stanchion placement and we had to move a few pieces to accommodate the
change in visitor flow through the rooms. The critical factor in allowing us
to do this was our lack of any historic floor coverings, however.

Stanchions can also really intrude on the aesthetics in an interior as grand
as yours at the Flagler. That having been said, you might want to consider
the use of carpet runners for the visitors to use (i.e. ask them to stay on
carpet). Another way around the aesthetic intrusion is to have more
'elegant' wooden stanchions made.  I'm sure there are some wood
workers/turners in your area who could design and make them for you. You
might even have them replicate a turned post or baluster found somewhere on
your structure. Many larger fabric stores also sell curtain tie backs made
of attractive rope which you could then secure to the turned posts.

Good luck,
Fielding Freed
Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site
Beech Island, South Carolina

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