Johnson Hall State Historic Site has an inventory filled with examples of skins/hides, including white deer skins on the hallway walls and a conservator treated painted buffalo skin on one of the beds. Also buffalo, bear, and other animal skins. Sir William Johnson was Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the Six Nations in the 1750s-1774, when he died. We have had animal skins, especially deer skins, on the walls and in the rooms for decades with no problems. The house is in Johnstown/Gloversville, NY, where deer hides are still tanned and treated so perhaps we had an advantage. The only problem we had was with a wolf skin. We were told to stay away from the wolf/fox skins and similar animals - or to change them fairly frequently because the tails and feet deteriorate. We have one fox skin on the wall but he is changed out periodically. We have never had problems with any of the deer skins.

-Wanda Burch, retired, site manager
Johnson Hall


On May 22, 2013, at 9:26 AM, Rebecca Justinger wrote:

> Good Morning Museum-L,
> 
> Our museum is updating our Native American gallery. Our exhibit designer wants to include some fake deer skins inside an interactive longhouse, but he is having trouble finding anyone who makes and/or sells accurate looking replicas. Does anyone use fake animal hides in their exhibits and, if so, do you know where you purchased your props? He was also looking into using real animal hide, but we in the collections department were trying to dissuade him of that. Several years ago, I believe in the early 90's and well before my time, they included real animal skin in this exhibit and there was a massive infestation. He claims that he discovered, during his research, that the way they prepare real animal skins now is different from 20+ years ago and it absolutely won't attract bugs, but I'm slightly skeptical. Has anyone used real animal hides in their exhibits more recently? Were their any issues with infestations? Thank you so much for any insight anyone might be able to provide. I really appreciate the help! 
> Rebecca 
> 
> Rebecca Justinger
> Registrar 
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