COURIER - National Park Service History

The Tusayan Museum displays many sensitive ethnographic artifactsthat benefit from a controlled display case environment. HFC conservator,Toby Raphael, is shown installing a rack loaded with cottonbatting into one of the cases recently installed at the museum. Thisballast material helps stabilize relative humidity inside the case.(Photo by Ron Roos and Mike Wiltshire)While the case was under construction, HFC Exhibit Designer PhilipMusselwhite (left) and contract fabricator Steve Morse consider astructural change to the prototype. Steve Morse's firm, S. ]. Morseand Company of Purgittsville, WV, provided fabrication detailingand construction of the unit. (Photo by Ron Roos)The light source is isolated and ventedto prevent warming of the case interiorby bulbs or fixtures.A concealed chamber in the lowerportion of the case can be filled with abuffering material to stabilize relativehumidity inside the case while conditionsoutside vary. The buffering mediummay be either an active desiccant such assilica gel or a passive fibrous cellulosicmaterial such as cotton batting. Thechoice depends on the particularmuseum environment.Although the prototype case hasreceived compliments for its appearance,the goal of the project is not to standardizethe look of future Harpers Ferryexhibits. Rather, the evaluation will provideHFC designers with a palette ofproven, safe construction materials,hardware and finishes. Within thispalette, designers will have considerableaesthetic latitude without affecting thepreservation of exhibit objects.The performance of the case wasevaluated while set up in HFC's InterpretiveDesign Center lobby. Monthsof testing indicated the need for someWorld leaders and conservationists frommany countries will meet in Colorado inSeptember 1987, to help launch a new initiativein worldwide conservation. Meetingfor the first time in the United States, the 4thWorld Wilderness Congress is an urgentresponse to the destruction of globalwildlands and depletion of natural resources.Items of critical importance will be addressedincluding: tropical forests andbiological diversity; the role of the WorldBank and multinational corporations; newAnnouncementdetailing changes. The improvementswere evidenced in the construction ofunits for the design's first field use atGrand Canyon's Tusayan Museum.The project is a joint effort of HFC'sDivisions of Exhibit Planning andDesign, Conservation, and Museum Production.It illustrates what can happenthrough the interaction of HFC's diverseprofessional staff. By employing such anintegrated approach to design and production,HFC can efficiently preserveand protect the resources it puts on exhibitfor national park visitors.global scientific research; finance, economicsand conservation; the cultural necessity ofconserving wildlife and wildlands. Proposalsfor a World Conservation Bank and a WorldConservation Service are on the agenda. Theprogram consists of plenary sessions,technical symposia, workshops, exhibits andcultural events.Information is available from: 4th WorldWilderness Congress, Colorado State University,Fort Collins, CO 80523. or telephone(303) 491-5802COURIER/May 1987 29