Coal, at least anthracite, is black and shiny and tends to fracture in flat planes. Lava is grey, porous, and dull and has a sort of bubbly appearance. Too bad, though, as it’s nice and light.

 

Anne

Anne  T  Lane,  Collections  Manager

The  Charlotte  Museum  of  History

where  history  has  a  home

3500  Shamrock  Drive

Charlotte  NC 28215

704-568-1774 X110

Fax - 704-566-1817

[log in to unmask]

 

 

From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Barbara Hass
Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2010 11:19 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Charcoal types for historic house museums

 

how about lava rocks?

these are sold in bags for gas grills and they look like chunk coal

Pictured on this web site

http://www.gasproductscompany.com/gas-products/lava-rock-20-lb.html

 

found by diligent searching using the terms

fake charcoal gas grills

 

Barbara Hass, retired librarian

 

In a message dated 10/13/2010 5:37:54 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes:

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

 


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