Helen Lloyd

The effects of visitor activity on dust in historic collections

Abstract Dust poses a risk to objects on open display, spoiling their appearance and necessitating cleaning. Over time deposits become more difficult to remove, risking damage to vulnerable substrates. An understanding of the sources and distribution of dust is needed to determine housekeeping resources and optimum intervals for cleaning. Dust particles were collected and analysed in four historic properties with a range of access arrangements. Results indicated that coarse particles at floor level rarely rise above 30 cm. Most of the dust on surfaces between waist and shoulder height consisted of fibres from visitors’ clothing. The rate of coverage halved with every 50‐cm distance between visitors and objects. Human activity produced higher levels of dust, for example visitor routes with multiple turns, and proximity of staff and interpreters to objects. To reduce deposition, fragile objects can be positioned further from visitors or given traditional covers. Thanks to a grant from the Leverhulme Trust, the mechanisms that attach dust to surfaces are now being studied, together with staff and visitor perceptions of dustiness.

Economics of Dust

Abstract Dust presents a physical risk to objects and reduces evidential value; it also creates a perception of poor standards of care. However, cleaning also imposes risks of damage, takes time and costs money. The presence of visitors induces much of the dust found in properties, so increasing or extending access has implications for housekeeping that are rarely discussed in economic terms, despite the fact that dust control represents the most expensive element of preventive conservation in historic houses. The range of preventive and protective measures that minimize the deposition of dust also carry costs that often relate to visitor flow. Simple economic calculations show the balance between the costs of cleaning and of other equipment and materials in National Trust properties. The cost per visitor initially reduces with increased numbers of people, but at high flow rates expenditure can increase because of the cost of cleaning. The per capita conservation costs become less than UK?2 per visitor at reasonable visitor flow rates (about 30000 per annum), although, in the calculations presented here for an idealized medium-sized property, costs begin to increase as visitor flow rises above 60000 per annum. Recognizing the economic importance of managing dust is thus essential in assessing the level of access consistent with maintaining appropriate standards of presentation and collections care.

Low-technology dust monitoring for historic collections

Abstract A qualitative understanding of the particles in dust and their sources helps to identify ways to reduce the accumulation of dust within historic houses. Knowing the possible sources of dust helps to suggest preventive steps. Simple low-technology methods enable rapid identification of dust deposits and require little specialist equipment. Dust samples can be collected on sticky surfaces for examination with a hand lens or microscope. The size of particles and fibres, and amount of surface coverage, can be estimated roughly using a graticule or coverage chart. An atlas of common dust components aids identification of soil dust, soot, insects, plant fragments, hair, skin, paint/plaster, clothing fibres, paper, food and mould. A mixture of fine dust is resolvable into a range of particle and fibre types. Long exposures of sticky samplers, with an estimate of the area covered by dust, indicate the rate of deposition and suggest the cleaning frequency necessary to prevent negative visitor reactions. T...

Use it or lose it: The opportunities and challenges of bringing historic places to life

Abstract Decorative art collections which remain in the places for which they were made, bought, or collected can illuminate the past by showing how objects were used. This paper explores how managers and collections care staff can establish levels of visitor access and object use which enhance the visitor experience. Conservation management plans are used to determine the significance of historic places and distinguish between their relative sensitivities. By contrast, conservation of collections tends to treat all objects as of equal significance and vulnerability to change while conservators aim to make all objects last ‘forever’. The National Trust, UK, now accepts that conservation is the careful management of change. Materials have a finite life-time, and places will evolve, but experiences can be preserved. This approach depends on an ability to distinguish between robust and fragile materials, between furnishings indigenous to each property, and those brought in to supplement displays; the latter can be used more intensively to ‘bring places to life’. The pleasure which visitors derive from the use of collections enhances their appreciation of museums, and in turn creates a virtuous circle where visitor numbers and income increase. Museums may have to stop exercising the precautionary principle in order to become more sustainable organizations.