Hi Hillary, Whether or not combustion is at all likely, coal itself is not a super stable substance. It off gasses, leaches acids and tars, and generally makes a nuisance of itself when in contact with other materials. Putting some in a bucket for people to see/smell/experience seems reasonable, especially if it is not actually kept inside the structure when interpreters are absent. Putting it inside a historic stove or other metal object could be destructive in the long term. I agree with Ella. I would go with some sort of fake coal inside the objects. Mark Janzen Registrar/Collection Manager Ulrich Museum of Art Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection 316-978-5850 From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Aderman, Ella Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2010 1:13 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Charcoal types for historic house museums Hillary, If it doesn't need to be large chunks, you could get some of the faux ice chunks (either glass or plastic) and paint them black. Ella Aderman Pennypacker Mills ________________________________ From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Hillary Kidd Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 2010 6:59 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Charcoal types for historic house museums Hello All, I work at an 1891 historic house farmstead with original coal burning fireplaces and stove. However, we are not a living history museum and do not use the fireplaces or stove for demonstrations. Some staff members want to have bituminous charcoal samples in the fireplaces and coal buckets to show children what would have been appropriate. I am hesitant to have actual coal in the historic house instead of reproduction for fear of combustion, off-gassing, and dust particles harming the collection. I have found that lignite is extremely volatile, but have not found the likelihood of combustion on bituminous. I would like to have some facts or statics to show our director on why we should not, or if it is okay, should use actual coal. Any thoughts or comments from those who have dealt with a similar situation would be most appreciated. Thank you, Hillary Kidd Curator of Collections Heritage Farmstead Museum Plano, Texas 972-422-6481 fax www.heritagefarmstead.org<http://www.heritagefarmstead.org/> ========================================================= 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]<mailto:[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]<mailto:[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]<mailto:[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]<mailto:[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).