David,
How true! In addition, there is a HUGE issue with institutional memory, or lack thereof. I am currently working with a major internationally-known historic house museum. No one there with knowledge/responsibility for collections was present when the HVAC system was installed. No one knows how it operates. No one knows how the settings on the control software work. No one knows if they even produce the desired results. If an HVAC system is the right choice (emphasis on IF), there MUST be a detailed written procedural manual created that can be understood by a lay person such as a curator, and this must be placed in a location that can be discovered by future staff. I can not tell you the number of small museums/historic houses that I have provided written guidance on how to do things on a budget that respects both the collections and the historic building which is completely unknown when staff turns over. This has happened with all-volunteer organizations (all Board run), and staffed organizations. Lack of succession planning is perhaps the largest Achilles heel for collections preservation in smaller institutions. Quite frequently, it is two or three weeks notice and gone. The new staff person is not even identified yet, much less interviewed or hired before the old one is gone. There is zero training or coaching. It is as if the job was just created with no history, no continuity. The solution to this is not easy. Ideally the outgoing person will have enough integrity to stay on a bit longer to allow a smooth transition, but often new opportunities do not allow for this time, and the old institution does not want to pay for double salaries for a period of time. But the lack of this type of planning has lead to significant lapses in collections preservation, including HVAC issues. At the very least, have a comprehensive written description of HVAC systems and settings, including the rationale for what was chosen. Having a good engineer or conservator involved at the onset is not enough. Continuity planning is essential.
Marc
Marc A. Williams, President
MS in Art Conservation, Winterthur Museum Program
Former Chief Wooden Objects Conservator, Smithsonian Institution
Fellow, American Institute for Conservation (AIC)
From: David Grabitske
Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2017 3:50 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] HVAC For Historic House Museums
Just a few thoughts from experience:
Begin by looking for a qualified HVAC engineer with museum experience, rather than the local HVAC contractor (often only sells/installs/maintains just one kind of HVAC). The local HVAC contractor will come into the picture later. The engineer also should have experience in assessing a historic structure for its ability to maintain a museum climate. In certain building methods, vapor transfer through the walls may be necessary for building material stability. In which case, a museum climate may not be achievable. Then engineer should also have familiarity with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Be aware that there may be trade-offs in expectations between museum standards and historic preservation standards. Often there will be a middle ground that satisfies most of both - neither one trumps the other, but both inform the discussion about a path forward. The engineer must be able to advise you on what is possible, assist you in having a system designed and specified, and help you with overseeing installation and commissioning any new system. With design, be sure that the system can be operated by an organization without staff that only maintains the system. Once a system is designed, those documents will help you create an RFP that local contractors can bid upon. With commissioning, do not close the project until the system performs as specified in the RFP. This is not usually a short process and may take years to figure out. Commissioning can take a lot longer than projected as adjustments often need to be made.
As others have noted, the process is more complex than this. These are written to help avoid common pitfalls I've seen where a museum is housed in a historic building.
Best wishes for success,
David
David M. Grabitske, DBA, MPNA
Manager, State History Services | 651-259-3460
I am MNHS: Celebrating a Century of Service to History Organizations!
On Tue, May 9, 2017 at 1:56 PM, William Hosley <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
HVAC has been oversold to HHM's - many better uses of money
Bill Hosley
Sent from my iPhone
On May 9, 2017, at 12:21 PM, Marc A Williams <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Kayla,
This issue is more complicated than it perhaps appears on the surface. Feel free to give me a call and we can chat about it.
Marc
American Conservation Consortium, Ltd.
4 Rockville Road
Broad Brook, CT 06016
www.conservator.com
860-386-6058
*Collections Preservation Consultation
*Conservation Assessments & Surveys
*Environmental Monitoring & Low-Tech Control
*Moisture Management Solutions
*Collections in Historic Structures
*Collections Care Grant Preparation
Marc A. Williams, President
MS in Art Conservation, Winterthur Museum Program
Former Chief Wooden Objects Conservator, Smithsonian Institution
Fellow, American Institute for Conservation (AIC)
From: Marciniszyn, Kayla
Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2017 12:03 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] HVAC For Historic House Museums
Hello all!
We are in the process of implementing a new HVAC system for a Georgian-style (1780s) historic house museum. The museum is located in the Mid-Atlantic, which experiences fluctuating temperatures and humidity levels depending on the season. Has anyone recently gone through this process and have any suggestions or recommendations of what to look for and/or what not to do when putting in an HVAC into a historic house? Thanks in advance!
Kayla Marciniszyn
Collections Manager
Montpelier Mansion
Laurel, MD
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