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] . 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).