Hi Erin, Pack-up all of your objects and move them off-site until the restoration project is completed! OHS owns/manages 56 sites around Ohio; approximately half are sites with collections, and quite a few of those sites are historic structures, e.g. Adena Mansion, Harding Home, Dunbar House, Grant Boyhood Home, etc. I have found it is imperative that the objects are removed from the building(s) and stored off-site while renovation work is taking place as it is virtually impossible to keep dirt, plaster dust (very abrasive), etc from migrating on/into objects regardless of how well they are packed and protected. Next week I am returning furniture to one of our managed sites, where we just completed paint, wallpapering and floor covering in several rooms. There was never any thought given to working around the objects or storing them on-site; we simply removed the objects from harm's way until the work was completed. One benefit to removing the objects is while they are in temporary storage (our Collections Storage Facility), I can examine each object and any cleaning/conservation treatment, exhibit prep work can be performed before the objects are returned to the site. Hope this helps, Russ Russell P. Arledge Collections Facility Manager Collections, Historic Preservation & Statewide Outreach The Ohio Historical Society 1982 Velma Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211-2497, USA 614.298.2051 // Fax: 614.298.2096 e-mail: mailto:[log in to unmask] Visit our Web site: http://www.ohiohistory.org/ ________________________________ From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Erin Crissman Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2007 1:30 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Your experiences with restoration process Hello List: Within the next 6-12 months, Historic Cherry Hill will be embarking on a large restoration project on our 1787 historic house. There are three major areas of work: window re-build and/or repair, HVAC design and installation, plaster repair and wallpaper replacement. My question for you all is in regard to the process and care of exhibited collections during that process. If anyone has experience they would like to share, I would certainly welcome it. We are going to be making field trips to two large local historic sites who recently completed restoration, but wanted to get a message out further afield to collect as many responses as possible. Thank you! -- Erin Elizabeth Crissman Curator Historic Cherry Hill 523 1/2 South Pearl St. Albany, NY 12202 www.historiccherryhill.org [log in to unmask] p.518.434.4791 f.518.434.4806 ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).