Dear Ms. Moellering:


The protection of collections from the effects of armed conflict is a side
project of mine.

I would elaborate slightly on Lyn Guerin's reference to Heritage
Preservation's work. Take a look at their report, "Cataclysm and Challenge:
Impact of September 1, 2001, on Our Nation's Cultural Heritage."

The committee found that, aside from the damage caused by direct hits, the
biggest threat to preservation of collections was dust; the better-prepared
institutions were generally able to close air-intake valves and otherwise
seal off collections. The real problem for surviving insitutions was trying
to operate when access to the Lower East Side was closed and then restricted
after the terroist attacks.

So the lesson learned from the report, I think, is that disaster and
emergency-response plans need to plan not only for the protection and
recovery of collections and personnel but also for continuity of operations.


See http://www.heritagepreservation.org/PDFS/Cataclysm.pdf.


Jennifer A. Dropkin
Assistant Keeper of the Herbaria
Fairchild Tropical Garden
11935 Old Cutler Road
Coral Gables (Miami), FL 33156-4299
Telephone: 305/667-1651 ext. 3418
Fax: 305/665-8032
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
web: www.fairchildgarden.org

>From: Lisa Moellering <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Terrorist attack plans for museums
>Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2003 14:57:43 -0500
>
>We have been approached by the Red Cross to contribute to a discussion on
>what we would do if there was a terrorist attack in our area - how we would
>continue to conduct business, protect our artifacts, archives, library,
>etc...  This is not something in our disaster plan (at least not yet) and I
>would assume we would not be conducting business in the way that banks or
>other "necessary" institutions would need to.  And there are so many
>variables to consider since it is not like planning for a hurricane, fire,
>etc...
>
>Does anyone have any input on this?
>
>Thanks very much -
>
>Lisa Moellering
>Curator of Collections/Registrar
>Holocaust Museum Houston
>5401 Caroline Street
>Houston, Texas 77004
>713.942.8000 x110
>713.942.7953 (fax)
>[log in to unmask]
>
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