Marcia,

The quick answer is that some artifacts are very sensitive to high light levels and some are not.  Design the exhibitions around light-insensitive objects, and you will probably make everyone happy.  Such objects would include metals, glass, ceramics, stone, and a few others that aren't coming to mind (coffee hasn't kicked in yet).  Avoid paper, textiles, wood, bone, feathers, paint, finishes and basically anything made in full or part from something that used to be living (organic materials).  There are exceptions to all of these broad categorizations!!  You also can use reproductions for the window displays, so, for example, a copy of a historic photo could be displayed.  Security systems can be enhanced if desirable, and objects can be anchored to offset vibration, so the other issues can be addressed fairly easily.  

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
*Conservation Treatment of:
     Furniture
     Painted Wood
     Horse-Drawn Vehicles
     Architectural Interiors 

Marc A. Williams, President
     MS in Art Conservation, Winterthur Museum Program
     Former Chief Wooden Object Conservator, Smithsonian Institution
     Fellow, American Institute for Conservation (AIC)


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: marcia 
  To: [log in to unmask] 
  Sent: Sunday, March 08, 2009 6:51 PM
  Subject: [MUSEUM-L] using artifacts in a window display


  I just started my first museum job. Our board, who are only somewhat informed about correct museum practices, has an exhibit concept using actual artifacts in several window displays.  The windows have UV protection, but I still don't feel great about that.  

  I've asked a few other museum professionals, and some are appalled I'd even ask, and some think it's a nifty plan.  

  Details if you want: Yes, temp/humidity control.  No, not great security--right on a street.  Yes, busy street, lots of vibration.  No, no awnings, and building faces west. Yes, follows mission of museum, and frankly, yes, would probably attract people.

  I don't want to start off my career being a bad steward, but I'm also not sure how to handle telling them that a concept they've been working on for a few years might not work.

  Help if you will.

  =========================================================
  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).