Wisconsin
Saving a State's Cultural Treasures
Designing a shared off-site museum collection facility.
Historic Challenges
For decades, museum staff at several state entities in the state capital had been making the best possible use of less-than-ideal collections storage spaces. Their institutions were housed in historic buildings in the densely populated downtown, so they were forced to store objects in overcrowded storage areas, offsite overflow facilities, and the basement of a former downtown department store. Few of those spaces had been designed for collections storage, and staff were concerned that they weren’t able to provide the best possible preservation conditions.
"We had run out of space. Things couldn’t be organized the way we wanted them to be anymore; we just had to fit them in where we could find a place."
- Collections Manager
Challenges:
- Inadequate temperature and humidity controls
- Overcrowded storage areas
- No room to expand
- Aging plumbing and other infrastructure
- Insufficient security
The need for better collections storage became apparent back in the 1970s, when a shared purpose-built facility was first proposed. Due to ongoing budget constraints, facility planning didn’t begin in earnest until 30 years later. After another ten years of planning, design work, and construction, the new shared preservation facility was ready for occupancy.
A State-of-the-Art Solution
The new shared preservation facility is by far the largest and most technologically advanced facility of its type in the state. It houses 500,000 artifacts and 200,000 books in nearly 200,000 square feet of collections storage space. It features state-of-the-art climate control systems, modern security, and storage equipment that was designed specifically for the building and the collections.
Designing even a small collections storage area presents challenges, so a facility of this size and scope required careful coordination and years of research and planning.
Work Table
Archives staff with limited space need multi-purpose work areas. A movable work table provides a flat surface to lay out architectural plans and other documents, and it can be rolled out of the way to create a large open area to receive and process materials. This table features flat file cabinets on one side and 4-Post shelving on the other. Staff turn the mechanical-assist handle to move it along rails installed in the floor.
Because historic blueprints are fragile and can contain chemical residues, these original plans for the state capitol and the governor’s mansion are stored in non-off-gassing steel flat-file cabinets. The cabinets are stacked to save space.
Art screens are the preferred way to store framed paintings and other hanging art. The facility has two types: wall-mounted art screens and nested art screens on carriage-and-rail systems.
Microfilm masters, 16mm film, videotapes, and other items that require cold storage are stored in a room that’s kept at 40 degrees and 35% relative humidity. To prevent damage from condensation, a transition room is used to acclimate items that need to be moved to or from cold storage.
"It seems like nobody ever has enough workspace, so this is a luxury for us. I can leave projects out overnight and not have to worry that someone will come in and need the space."
- Collections Manager
Large Objects
Large and heavy objects present special storage challenges. To keep them protected, organized, and accessible, furniture and other large objects are stored on RaptorRAC® Widespan Shelving mounted on high-density Spacesaver systems.
Textiles
Depending on the specific storage needs of particular flags, quilts, clothing, and other textiles, objects are stored either in oversized drawers, on rolled textile racks, or on hanging rods.
Textiles can be rolled onto nonreactive steel tubes and hung on configurable cantilever racks. The “arms” can be adjusted to optimize space on the racks.
Historic clothing is hung on hangers inside 4-Post shelving units.
Custom drawers hold textiles that are best stored flat.
Saddles
Although saddles seem sturdy and rugged, they’re made of leather and other natural materials and are prone to degradation over time. Saddle mounts keep them properly supported.
Swords
Swords are supported by custom brackets on cantilever wall-mounted columns.
Tip: Streamline Processes
Moving to a new facility or collections area can be the perfect opportunity to photograph artifacts, inspect housing, and conduct other essential tasks. That was the case in this move, where staff developed streamlined processes to inventory, image, house, and pack objects.
Photographing objects was helpful in two ways. First, the photographs could be used to document the objects’ condition if damage were to occur during transport. Now, after the move, the photos are still in use: they make the collections accessible online, and staff can send photos to researchers in response to requests.
“In my experience, most of the people who are in charge of designing museum exhibits are visual people, so they like to see everything out in front of them. Telling them something is in a box somewhere doesn’t make them happy. Now if they want to select a canteen for an exhibit, we can show them every canteen we have.”
Military Artifacts
The facility’s extensive military collection is housed on Spacesaver shelving.
Archival Boxes
Boxed objects are stored on 4-Post shelving, which can be easily reconfigured to ensure that space is used efficiently.
Bound Materials
Approximately 200,000 books and other bound materials are stored by size instead of subject. This creates significant space savings over thousands of feet of shelving.
"Looking back, I realize that I probably took too much on. I probably should have asked for more help or budgeted twice as much time."
- Collections Manager
Tip: Be Realistic with Time Estimates
When planning a new facility, making the best use of space is usually the main focus. That’s fine, but be sure to plan your time, as well. The planning process and the move will likely consume more time than you think. “Anyone who’s in this line of work is probably going to have the type of personality where it’s hard to not be in control,” said one of the collections managers on this project. “You’re in charge of where absolutely everything is and it’s difficult to delegate on a big, important project like this. Looking back, I realize that I probably took too much on. I probably should have asked for more help or budgeted twice as much time.”
Insights & Inspiration for Your Collections Storage Project
At Spacesaver, we understand that planning for new construction or renovation can be a daunting experience. Although every project has its challenges, we bring the expertise you need to create a collections storage system that will protect your collections now and into the future. Our in-house teams of engineers, project managers, and manufacturing craftspeople are ready to work with your local Spacesaver consultant to design, build, and install effective storage solutions that will stand the test of time.
As you think about designing a new or renovated collections area, contact us to arrange a free consultation. You’ll learn about your options and gain insight and inspiration from others who have undertaken similar projects.
