Hello everyone,
We are trying to improve storage conditions for our Native American saddle collection, donated to the museum for the most part in the 1940s. I believe most consist of wood and rawhide, though some descriptions also indicate tanned deerskin/buckskin or bone is present, and some are more elaborately decorated with paint and beadwork. These are currently housed on shelves in standard metal museum cabinets, layered with ethafoam and unbuffered tissue. After reviewing recommendations I know we should create individual mounts to adequately support the saddles, but what issues do we need to consider when removing the saddles from these cabinets to create the mounts? For instance, I noticed that when we open the cabinets the saddles start making 'popping' sounds, I assume due to changes when exposed to outside air. Is there an ideal way to slowly transition the saddles from one environment to another so they don't crack or warp in the process? I am not sure how long it takes for these to be adversely affected or if there is some way to stabilize them before working on them. Our collections space is maintained at ~68+/- 2 F with RH averaging 30+/-10%. For the most part there is only a 5% fluctuation but we often hit issues when seasons change. The interior of the cabinets are more stable as they are usually closed and weather-stripped, though I have not measured fluctuations there yet.
We have also discussed putting a saddle on display, so same questions would apply. Should these be staged to move them from one climate regime to another? Or do we need to somehow just keep the environment the same, though not sure that is possible given the new exposure to light and plexi or glass casing.
Any advice is welcome!
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Amy Commendador
Collections Manager
Idaho Museum of Natural History
Pocatello, ID
United States
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