I have used clear fishing line to secure items. Certain items, such as flatware or glasses on a table can be tied together so that moving one moves them all and makes some noise. This almost always stops people from picking up or stealing objects on display. In addition, it calls attention to the person touching the object, so that the guide can tactfully remind everyone that objects are not to be handled (stolen).
Greg
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Corrie B
Sent: Tuesday, August 11, 2015 1:46 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] House Museum Security During Tours
Hi Janean,
The first thing that comes to mind is putting up plexi or rope barriers to deter visitors from getting too close to the exhibited items.
Second thought is securing small items to their respective mounts. Using materials as thin as thread to secure an object can be just enough to deter someone from slipping a small object into their bag or pocket.
Although it would not be historically accurate, you might try installing decoy security cameras in each room, or give the illusion that visitors are being watched by placing signage around the property stating that surveillance is happening.
Corie Bouskill
Heritage Specialist
On Tue, Aug 11, 2015 at 1:14 PM, Janean Van Beckum <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
Dear Listers,
We are looking for advice and first hand accounts on how to handle security concerns in historic house settings.
One of our sites is an 1886 Jail and Sheriff’s residence. It is next door to our main site and is not regularly staffed. It is handled as a guided tour, usually by volunteer docents. We limit the number of people on the tour to a comfortable 10. In doing a complete inventory of the exhibited items it has been found that a couple are missing and so we are rethinking our procedures and policies when it comes to the tours themselves.
Along with retraining docents and having them position themselves differently in rooms, and do the tour in a different order which will help with them being able to see all visitors at all times, does anyone have any suggestions? We do not want to completely block off all rooms (some already are) as the space is already cramped and we feel it will take too much away from the experience we are trying to put forth. We don’t want to encase all items either, since it is an immersive environment.
We are also wondering how others go about confronting a visitor that you have seen take something. Since it is usually a volunteer leading the tour, we want to be able to tell them exact procedures and what to say if the situation arises.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
Janean Mollet-Van Beckum
Curator of Collections and Exhibits
Washington County Historical Society
320 S 5th Avenue, West Bend, WI 53095-3333
(262) 335-4678 x121<tel:%28262%29%20335-4678%20%20x121>
www.historyisfun.com<http://www.historyisfun.com>
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