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In preparation for the Kansas Museum of History’s renovation, care is being taken to make sure environmental conditions remain stable for artifacts. Preserving artifacts and maintaining them in their original or existing condition is not always easy since all objects deteriorate over time. Maintaining optimal conditions helps slow down deterioration. Too much relative humidity, for example, can cause mold, and too little causes materials to dry out and crack.
Ideal temperature and relative humidity for artifacts is maintained in both the museum’s galleries and storage areas. Temperature and relative humidity are monitored by thermohygrometers and data loggers. They provide information for both temperature and humidity, are checked regularly by staff, and readings are logged to monitor changes. Ensuring artifacts are moved from exhibit galleries to secure areas with suitable environmental controls takes more time but helps to preserve these records of our past.
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