> From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
> Behalf Of Sharon Maguire
> Sent: Monday, June 26, 2006 1:46 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: cleaning
>
> Anyone,
> I would like to know if any historic house museums out there could tell
> me something about their housecleaning situation. Do you have a
> cleaning service; does one individual on staff do it, the curator or
> asst. curator, or a combination of staff?  By housecleaning I mean
> cleaning under furniture, knocking down cobwebs, vacuuming, wiping down
> baseboards, etc. etc.  I would greatly appreciate any and all input.
> Thank you
>
> Sharon Maguire
> Asst. Curator
>
I guess we're still in the "dark ages" as far as cleaning goes; it is the
responsibility of staff to "keep at it" continually throughout the day
during lull times when there are no visitors.   So cleaning is the
responsibility of all staff members.  (The Board hired a male tour guide
this year, and I  notice that he has no interest in such cleaning tasks as
sweeping.)  The Board pays someone to come in once a year to do "deep
cleaning."  I have persuaded the Board to pay me for the type of cleaning
that it's awkward to do during hours we're open to the public, like cleaning
restrooms, mopping and vacuuming floors, etc., which I consider a small
triumph!

Susannah West
Tour Guide
John Rankin House
Ripley, Ohio

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