Microclimates

A microclimate is a space in a museum with different environmental conditions than the surrounding area, like a display case or storage room. Usually, this preserves artifacts by keeping them in ideal conditions to minimize deterioration.

Examples:

Exhibit Cases
Museum-grade display cases protect objects from fast humidity changes in a room, by slowing down the exchange of air. But not forever, so don’t keep your front door open.

Sealed Frames
Like a case, but smaller. Paper objects can go in a sealed frame with special beads that protect against humidity spikes. Sealed frames leak, but super slowly.

Oxygen-Free Enclosures
Oxygen-free enclosures are totally sealed, removing the threat of humidity changes. They are rare and usually small, like a capsule for a single object.

Storage Rooms
Some or all of the above, but at the scale of a whole room.

But also:

Unwelcome Microclimates
Microclimates can be unintentional: basements, attics, or along exterior walls. These can foster moisture and mold that damage collections.

Here’s the thing:

Microclimates are common in museums.

Sometimes even when you don’t want one.

Warmly,
Jonathan

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MtM Word of the Day:

Microclimate. In museums, a space with different environmental conditions than the surrounding area, such as a display case or storage room. Microclimates preserve artifacts by keeping them in ideal conditions to minimize deterioration.