Sustainable Management of Collections Environments with Limited Controls

FAIN: PG-266650-19

Morris County Park Commission (Morristown, NJ 07960-3161)
Melanie Bump (Project Director: January 2019 to April 2025)

The assessment and monitoring of storage environments for collections maintained in three Morris County Park Commission (MCPC) sites, along with the purchase of e-Climate Notebook monitoring equipment and the training of staff in using this data analysis software. Working with consultants from the Image Permanence Institute, the applicant would explore low-cost or no-cost options for buildings without HVAC and/or with tight budgets. The collections consist of 11,685 artifacts, including artworks, furniture, industrial equipment, and archaeological items; 7,540 books and 2,980 special collections items; 1,381 linear feet of documents on music, agriculture, telecommunications, mining, and more; and 19,200 images. These materials, documenting 300 years in Morris County, New Jersey, are used in exhibits, programs, displays, and scholarship.

Environmental controls, such as heating, cooling and dehumidification, are an integral part of proper collection care. Spaces that are too hot, cold, dry or humid can lead to mold growth, loosen furniture joints, chip paint, corrode metal, and fade dyes. Unfortunately, many historic sites store collections in spaces with limited or no equipment to regulate temperature and humidity. The research partnership between Morris County Park Commission and the Image Permanence Institute will provide guidance for low cost and sustainable methods for stabilizing these environmental conditions. The project will be accomplished in two phases. Phase 1 consists of collecting environmental data and surveying collections areas. Phase 2 uses experimental changes to test effectiveness of new methods of stabilizing storage environments. The goal is to improve collections environments in new ways and make the information available through publications, webinars, and conferences.