>We are in the process of creating a display panel to
>explain the bakery's function, and the process of baking bread, but what
>we lack is bread.  Any suggestions?  Would baked bread that has been
>preserved for display work, or would we have a problem with animal
>infestation (field mice)? Richard A Fields (Fort Gibson Historic Site)

There are a number of "decorative only" bread recipes floating around
the internet, giving a product that is supposed to be coated with
a clear shellac or varnish.  Certainly these decorative loaves do last
several years in a bakery or home environment, and I've not heard of
infestation problems.  As a former herbarium curator, though, I'd be
inclined to cast the products in plaster or similar compounds and paint
appropriately.  You might try drying homebaked bread in an oven till it's
very solid, then draping a sheet of Sculpey modeling compound, rolled
thin, over the top.  Rebake, remove from the loaf, and paint.

Kay Lancaster    [log in to unmask]