Climate Monitoring and Climate Improvement for Short-term and Long-term Preservation Needs

FAIN: PG-50974-10

University of St. Thomas (St. Paul, MN 55105-1096)
Julia Allison Risser (Project Director: May 2009 to April 2011)

The purchase of equipment to document light levels and environmental conditions in the exhibition and storage areas of the museum, based upon a recommendation following a 2008 NEH Preservation Assistance Grant. Located at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, the museum's ethnographic collections include 1,415 utilitarian, religious, and other objects fabricated by the Asmat people of Papua, Indonesia (formerly New Guinea) since 1950. The recipient will also purchase and install ultraviolet film and filters on windows, five dataloggers and environmental software, one hygrothermograph, and one light meter. The museum director will also attend courses in environmental monitoring, emergency preparedness, and storage of complex objects at the Campbell Center for Historic Preservation.

This grant will support items needed to reach short and long-term planning recommendations the American Museum of Asmat Art at the University of St. Thomas(AMAA@UST)received in a 2008 General Preservation Assessment Survey. Elisa L. Redman, Assistant Director of Preservation Services and Melinda M. Markell, Preservation Services Coordinator at the Midwest Art Conservation Center conducted the survey. The National Endowment for the Humanities and the Travelers Foundation funded it. Funds will purchase light meter readers, dataloggers, and a hygrothermograph to record light levels and climate conditions in exhibit areas and storage. Funds will purchase light filters and acid-free boards for improving climate conditions. Two homes function as storage. Built in 1938, 2140 Summit Avenue has 969 finished square feet. 2150 Summit Avenue, built in 1918, has 1,988 finished square feet. The AMAA@UST collection has fragile organic objects. In 2011 it will have a new 1,500 square foot gallery.