Practical Climate Control, Fire Risk Mitigation, and Lighting Improvements for Shelburne Museum Collections

FAIN: PA-51407-05

Shelburne Museum (Shelburne, VT 05482-0010)
Richard L. Kerschner (Project Director: October 2004 to May 2010)

Improvements in environmental conditions, fire protection, and lighting in three historic buildings that display and interpret collections of American decorative, fine, and folk art.

This project is designed to improve environmental conditions for the best public collection of decoys in the U.S.; miniature circus carvings, circus posters, and carousel animals; a historic structure that includes changing exhibit space and a textile storage area; and historic interiors from the founder’s home. Two historic and two special-built collection buildings will be insulated, and economical humidistatically controlled heating and air conditioning systems will reduce temperature and humidity extremes. Replacing outdated electrical wiring and exhibit lighting and installing very early smoke detection alarms will mitigate the risk of fire, and safe and efficient LED lighting will replace old fluorescent lights inside exhibit cases.