1. Textile Preservation in Historic House Museums
Poster by MaryKate Murphy
Special thanks to the PSNC and their chief conservator Patricia Miller
Introduction
Climate Control
Ideal textile preservation conditions include stable temperature and humidity, limited lighting, and no pests. Historic house museums must deal with preservation in slightly different ways than museums specifically built to display and preserve collections. Existing structures are often architecturally significant, and must be utilized as exhibition space for artifacts. Furthermore, collections are typically displayed as the inhabitants would have used them.
Historic House Museum Concerns
Objects are on open display and not protected in cases
All materials are subjected to the same environmental conditions and cannot be segregated to provide more stable environments for specific materials
Many do not have modern climate control systems already installed. Architecture creates difficulty in installing and implementing climate control
Windows and doors may be open in the summer, which leads to extreme fluctuations in relative humidity (RH)
Houses are heated during the winter, which can be dangerous for collections due to the extremely dry air and low RH
How the PSNC Combats Concerns
The PSNC monitors the environment using PEM2 data loggers
Climate control has been installed at 4 properties, and they plan to install systems at all properties within 10 years
In the exhibition space at Rosecliff and in storage areas, there are humidistats that automatically regulate RH
Case Study: PSNC
The Elms, one of 11 PSNC properties
The Preservation Society of Newport County (PSNC) is located in Newport, Rhode Island
11 historic properties from the colonial era to the Gilded Age
Over 55,000 objects in its collections
Its textile collection includes tapestries, rugs, wall coverings, window hangings, and costumes
Properties visited by over a million people a year
The Impact of Visitors
Historic House Museum Concerns
Visitors increase ambient humidity, and bring in dust & pollutants
Increased chance of people touching objects since objects are displayed as occupants would have used them, and not in cases
Hand oil transfer can soil or stain, and visitors could also tear or damage cloth by pulling or sitting on textiles
How the PSNC Combats Concerns
Ropes prevent visitors from walking on carpets or getting close enough to touch some fabrics
Posting signs asking visitors not to touch, and explaining how touching damages objects
All tours begin with asking visitors to not touch
Pests
Historic House Museum Concerns
Many historic houses lack climate control systems, so doors and windows are opened during warmer months, allowing more possibility for pest infiltration
Older buildings’ foundations, windows, and doors may allow pest entry if not properly sealed
How the PSNC Combats Concerns
Pest control is monitored by an outside contractor and reviewed bimonthly by conservation and collections staff
Infested textiles are placed into a freezer to kill bugs
During the winter months, staff performs deep cleaning
HVAC system at Chepstow connected to the Geothermal system
Two different films being installed. After testing reflectivity, the gray tinted film (on the right side of the window) was selected. This film blocks 99.9% UV, blocks 30% visible light, & reduces heat gain by 58%
Sunlight
Historic House Museum Concerns
Most house museums have windows allowing sunlight in
The most effective films for blocking visible light and heat are reflective. These appear silver, or reflective, from the exterior and are not considered historically appropriate for the appearance of a historic house
How the PSNC Combats Concerns
Installs window film that best fulfills the need to block UV rays and the need for a historically appropriate appearance
Monitors light levels by using a specialized light meter to test the transmitted light
Rotates some of the most fragile textiles
Left: humidifier to regulate RH in the winter; middle: dehumidifier in storage area used to maintain RH; right: humidifier in storage area
Conclusion
Overall, historic house museums have additional issues in regards to textile preservation. Conservators must contend with the limitations of architecture and displaying objects as inhabitants utilized them. Closely monitoring conditions allows them to assess problem areas and help keep textiles lasting for future generations.
Pheromone traps are utilized to attract male moths