Dear Listers,
One of our historic sites is presently wrestling with the
issue of a straw mattress in their historic house interior.
The straw has been in place for many years and thus far not
(to my knowledge) caused any problems, and the staff like to use the “crunchy”
feel of the mattress as a teaching moment, giving children and school groups a
tactile experience of how one aspect of life was different in the 19th
century.
They have received a recommendation as part of a
conservation assessment to remove all organic materials (including the straw in
the mattress ticking) from the house, which would also have been my first
response as well.
However, a board member also consulted a colleague in a
university entomology department at the nearby university, who did some
research and concluded that because the straw is “non-nutritive” it
would likely not harbor any bugs other than perhaps mites (which would
hopefully be a non-issue, because the beds are not used).
I said I would check with the list to see if anyone has had
any direct experience with pest infestation in straw mattresses, bales, etc.
I’m also concerned that (leaving aside insects) straw might also harbor
mice or other animals that use the straw as a nesting material.
Also, has anyone found a good replacement for straw that
would have that same tactile feel and look? As always, budget is a major
issue. Elsewhere we use polyester fiberfill, but obviously that would
feel nothing like straw.
Thanks!
Catherine E. Dean
Curator of Collections
Preservation
804-314-5049
FAX: 804-648-5880