Why not make an exhibit out of the whole "do not touch" thing. At some of our sites we now have "touch panels" where samples of various materials found on site (bronze, marble, silk etc) are displayed with half protected and the visitors being encouraged to touch the other half. This allows visitors to get the tactile experience (especially important for blind/partially sited visitors), it also quickly demonstrates the effects of touching. If we had space we would like to accompany this with explanations of the chemical/physical processes involved in the damage and also the work conservators have to do to repair it.
Trevor Reynolds
Collections Registrar, English Heritage
Room G01, 23 Savile Row, London, W1S 2ET, UK
tel: +44 (0)20 7973 3482 fax: +44 (0)20 7973 3001 (GTN 3503 3482)
>>> Richard Fields <[log in to unmask]> 02/26 3:45 pm >>>
I worked at a site that had "Do Not Touch!" signs, and I got rid of
them. I felt our folks should interact with the visitors, and effective
barriers kept visitors from the most desired items to touch (Civil War
cannon). What I love to see personally, is an item you can touch to
show the effect of touching. I have seen this with replica statues, and
brass items. With half protected and half not, the visual reminder is
quite effective. Have you ever seen the effects of touching at the Pro
Football Hall of Fame? Some of the busts look like Rudolph from
visitors rubbing their noses.
Richard A. Fields
Mine Interpretive Supervisor
Soudan Underground Mine State Park
P.O. Box 335
Soudan, MN 55782
(218) 753-2245/ Fax 2246
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