[BCMA] Restoration of Natural History Collection After Smoke Damage & Soot

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

Hi,



We have received some great information from Kasey Lee, Senior Conservator
from the RBC Museum, on the questions below and are wondering if anyone
else has suggestions or has been through something similar.



The Hornby Island Natural History Centre (www.hornbynaturalhistory.com) is
located in the Hornby Island Community School which had a devastating fire
on Sat, Aug. 26th. The entrance and office areas were destroyed, and
extensive damage was done to the library. Our collection was protected by a
metal fire door and appeared intact. However, there is fine soot over
everything and smoke damage. We will have to relocate the entire collection
for the short term into two metal storage containers on site behind the
school. We have already moved our taxidermy collection into a clean, dry,
but unheated insulated container. No electrical power available yet.



Our first concern is preserving our taxidermy collection. We have 46
specimens, all local birds, except 3 mammals, a beaver, and 2 river otters.
All the mounts were done in the past 15 years. So no arsenic except
possibly in the two older donated specimens. The small forest birds are in
a long glass case. The others are mounted on wood bases or hanging such as
the trumpeter swan, the eagle, and some of the owls.



*Please help by connecting us with people who may be able to answer some of
our questions and / or a taxidermist with experience dealing with fire
damage / restoration.*



1) How do we safely clean soot off the taxidermy collection?

2) Dealing with smoke damage: Is ozone treatment recommended or are there
other processes? What are "hydroxyl radicals" which was recommended on one
website?

3) Ideas for cleaning the diorama containing the small forest birds in a
forest setting which is housed in a long glass case?

4) We may not be able to be back in the school for 18 months.  Suggestions
for best conditions needed for storage of the collection? In a container or
not?

5) If we can leave them in the insulated storage container what are the
ideal humidity levels and temperature?



*Bone collection*

What is the best way to clean soot off our bone collection, ranging from
large whale vertebrae to tiny delicate bird skulls?



*Fossil collection*

Are we correct in thinking that the fossils mainly ammonites,
and baculites from Hornby from the Cretaceous period simply require wiping
with a "smoke sponge"?



We would really appreciate any advice we can receive as soon as possible.


We can be reached at hornby.naturalhistory at gmail.com


We are also in the process of creating a GoFundMe campaign for restoring
and relocating the collection.



Thank you,

Tina Wai

Hornby Island Natural History Centre


www.hornbynaturalhistory.com
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