The Winterthur Museum is getting a 350 thousand dollar grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to help preserve its collection at the best possible climate and temperature.
Museum Director Dr. David Roselle says the Cultural Heritage Collections grant will be used to enhance the museum’s environmental monitoring and control systems. Roselle says each room will be equipped with a wireless monitor to maintain an ideal climate.
“The collection has many fragile aspects to it, both in the library and in the house. And, what this project is thought to be is better stewardship of the collection,” said Roselle.
Scott Mangieri, Winterthur Assistant Director of Major Gifts, says the endowment will also make the museum more energy efficient.
“We know from power outages that the museum walls can withstand the temperature and relative humidity for several hours without any fluctuations happening and we’d like to be able to make use of that capacity – to be able to turn things off when it’s not needed and save energy and money," said Mangieri.
National Endowment for the Humanities' director for the Division of Preservation and Access Dr. Nadina Gardner hopes Winterthur’s efforts will advance the field of museum science.
“Winterthur’s thorough preparation, it’s use of innovative technologies, it’s plans to monitor the project’s results and measure energy savings will make this project an important model for the cultural heritage community,” said Gardner.
The museum houses one of most extensive collections of American decorative arts in the country.