Ms Kidd,
As the curator I assume that you are aware that either coal form, lignite or bituminous would be historically accurate for Texas in general with bituminous most likely to have been burned in Plano. Anthracite might be preferred because of its density but it would be more common in the northeast.

As a interpretive designer, this strikes me as a potential teaching opportunity. Create a reproduction coal for the fireplaces and buckets; and be able to talk about coal use at the time, and why this coal isn't real (protection of the collection). Acquire real samples of both coals and keep them in closed containers, large glass jars would work, and then open them briefly so that you visitor can smell them. Few contemporary people experience coal and a strong component of is the odor (and the different kinds of coal can be very different in their odors). At this point you can talk about what it might have been like to cook and heat with coal... and I'll bet at least some of your visitors will reminisce about their experience.

With this approach you eliminate the fire risk (no oxygen-no fire), there is no real risk to the collections, and your visitor engages with the real thing.

My thoughts, Paul Stromdahl

On Thu, Oct 14, 2010 at 8:31 AM, REYNOLDS, Trevor <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
I would suggest using Anthracite rather than Bituminous Coal. If you get high quality coal that is washed and sold for use in household fireplaces it should not be that dusty.  If you then brush any dust of each piece before putting it in your display then it shouldn't generate any fresh dust as long as it is not abraded. 
 
Anthracite has less volatiles and is harder to ignite.  Anthracite is the preferred coal for burning in domestic fireplaces as it is cleaner and produces more heat per weight.
 
Coal is harder to ignite than paper and many textiles.
 
NB charcoal is different altogether being processed (heated in the abscence of oxygen) wood. Charcoal is much more likely to generate dust.
 

Trevor Reynolds

Collections Registrar, English Heritage

37 Tanner Row, York, YO1 6WP tel: 01904 601905

 

 

From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Hillary Kidd
Sent: 13 October 2010 23:59
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: 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

 


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