Winter Wonderland

I took this photo on December 19th:


I could barely step outside without breaking into Winter Wonderland. There was a heavy frost on all the trees and the snow literally sparkled. It's not quite as magical now, but there has been snow over the holiday break. In fact, I just got back from a few days break for the holiday. All the students are still away, but I found that a mysterious visitor had left gifts for me while I was gone.



200+ cardboard boxes and 4 rolls of packing foam! I hope I ordered enough.... We have about 3000 objects to pack if you don't count the chipped stone (which should be okay moving in the drawers it currently lives in). Fingers crossed and away we go!

End of the Quarter

Life around here is marked by the academic calendar. Last Friday was the last day of instruction, which makes this week Finals week. Last Friday also marked the last Annual Holiday Party the Anthropology Department will host here in Farrell Hall. Over the next few weeks, the Department will be moving over to the new Dean Hall.

Penny, the department secretary, snapped a few photos of the celebration decorations before they were taken down this week. I thought I'd share our holiday cheer! (click to see larger versions)

It's here!

Today was the Dean Hall re-dedication ceremony. Although we won't be moving the collection until late March, it is good to see the building springing to life. Most excitingly, for me, was my glimpse of the storage room. With compactor storage!

The installation isn't yet complete - they will be putting facings on the units so they can be moved by hand crank. My first impression is that these units are HUGE. It's like walking through a 24' long canyon, moving between the rows of shelves.

We'll really be able to give the collection room to breathe and room to grow.

Seeing the unseen

If you've been reading this blog for a while, I think you've come to understand that I am very particular about how objects are stored and supported. You've seen the bulky white foam and the specialized cardboard supports. But what about when objects are in galleries? They aren't (usually) encased in cardboard and foam. But, I assure you, we collections managers and conservators are still very particular about how objects are supported, even when on view.

The National Museums Liverpool blog has a nice post about exhibit supports and an even nicer flickr photo set of the process. Even though I work behind the scenes, I still love to see behind the scenes at other places. Enjoy!