Presentation by Joseph Govednik and Sarah Samson

The quiet workrooms and storage areas of museums house a number of items that present danger to unsuspecting museum staff and others. Of primary concern are firearms and ammunition. But many explosive, flammable, and/or poisonous chemicals contaminate objects routinely displayed in museums.  From residues found on agricultural tools to vintage medicine bottles, unseen chemicals can be as potent today as when first applied.

Join us and discover how best to identify and deal with collection items that are potentially dangerous: from the obvious (handguns, rifles, and swords) to the unexpected (taxidermied animals and Native American baskets treated with arsenic).

During the workshop, Sarah and Joseph will provide helpful guidelines to facilitate identification of unexpected safety problems in your own collection. The proper handling, care, documentation, and storage of a variety of hazardous materials will be discussed. Joseph and Sarah will explore the practical and ethical issues surrounding the care of historic artifacts. Who may handle what? When? What state/local agencies regulate the handling of these materials?

• Share examples from your museum’s holdings.
• Participants are cautioned to share only photographs or digital images. 
• Digital images will be projected on screen and shared with the group.

NOTE: To receive the $35 member discounted registration, you must log in to your account before registering.