I am writing to request any assistance on the subject of quilts and humidity. 
My museum is planning to host a traveling exhibition of Gee's Bend quilts next 
winter. In the course of contract negotiations, one major concern expressed is 
the lack of humidity in Colorado. The Gee's Bend quilts are, of course, created 
at-or below-sea level, and the museum traveling the show is in Texas. They 
want humidity to stay above 40%. Our gallery humidity during winter months is 
around 25-30%, and we do not have a contained environment for humidity 
control. The Texas museum also suggested we purchase a humidifier, but my 
collections curator is very concerned that that will create uneven humidity and 
also begin to affect anything else in the museum, including the potential for 
mold in the rest of the textiles in the history collection.
My question is, how much potential for damage exists when quilts travel from 
high humidity to low? The Gee's Bend quilts vary in age, but range back about 
35 years. They are fabric quilts created from clothing and other common 
material. From my research, mold is a much larger issue than low humidity.
Thank you in advance for any assistance.

Maureen Corey

Loveland Museum/Gallery
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