Emergency Response:
collection of Historical and Scientific Instruments (CHSI)
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Due to a construction incident in an adjacent space, drywall dust and silica covered 6000 objects in the museum’s largest compact storage area. The dust had settled inside microscope cases, the workings of medical instruments, historical photographic equipment, glassware, weatherometers, recording and sound equipment, and plastic materials. Rika Smith Sculpture Conservation carefully removed the fine dust from the objects using Nilfisk vacuum cleaners with small attachments, micro-swabs, polyester sponges, and soft brushes. With support from the museum registrar transporting the objects and tracking data, a team of five conservators and collection care specialists completed the project in 18 months.