Sarah,
I agree with what others have said -- the problem is the visitors, not the lock....  I work at a fire museum -- lots of shiny red fire engines that seem to make it irresistible to keep out/off.   We've found simple folded cardboard signs humorously reminding visitors, "Remember, I'm OLD please don't climb on me!" work pretty well.   Of course, the inexpensive Radio Shack alarm would work well -- as would a simple sign, "This door is ALARMED!" or "This door is Electrified" -- depending on how much you want to deter your visitors!   ~Wink!~

- David -
David Lewis, Curator
Aurora Regional Fire Museum
www.AuroraRegionalFireMuseum.org


-----Original Message-----
From: Sarah LeCount <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Tue, Oct 13, 2009 12:45 pm
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Car Door Lock

Hello everyone -



I am new on the staff of a science/history museum. We have recently put a 1930s 

Cunningham-Ford Town Car on exhibit after having it professionally conserved. 

Although there is a solid, 3' high and 2' wide barrier around the car, we know 

that visitors have breeched the barrier and opened the driver's side door of the 

car. This door handle has a lock which doesn't work - either it is jammed (which 

is what the conservator said) or it was never meant to actually operate. The 

locks on the other doors work, so we thought we might be able to lock the 

driver's side from the inside, exit through another door and lock it - but there 

is no mechanism to lock the door from the inside. We are looking into 

reinforcing the existing barrier with a plexi screen, but are also wondering - 

can we try a lubricant in the lock? Or can we try to secure the driver's side 

door handle from the inside so it won't turn and allow access? There seems to be 

some hesitation in reconnecting with the conservator (not sure what the story is 

there) - so I'm hoping for some advice from the List.



Thanks in advance!

Sarah



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