AFI84-103_Chapter_7_-_Conservation_and_Display_Standards.pdf

46 AFI84-103 22 MAY 2015

Chapter 7

CONSERVATION AND DISPLAY STANDARDS

7.1. Conserving Artifacts. A heritage activity’s artifact collection is its most important component and that which identifies and defines it. Acquiring historical property (all artifacts, including aerospace vehicles) through loan or donation obligates an activity with its care and stewardship. As such, ensuring the physical care, preservation, and conservation of that historical property is of paramount importance.

7.1.1. Heritage activities are prohibited from using any artifact accessioned as historical property to serve its original function, no matter how sound its condition. Consumptive use of artifacts is prohibited, including but not limited to, wearing historical clothing or flying, operating, or firing any artifact. Except as noted in paragraph 6.8.2, the public is prohibited from accessing the interior of loaned aircraft (cockpit, cargo areas, etc.) to ensure preservation of the aerospace vehicle and the safety of visitors.

7.1.2. Protect all historical property from agents of deterioration whether on exhibit or in storage. These include: vermin, mold, mildew, mechanical stress, dust, pollution, vandalism, excessive heat and humidity, and prolonged exposure to ultra-violet (U/V) and infrared as well as visible light extremes. Thoroughly check all incoming textiles for signs of mold, mildew or vermin infestation prior to introduction to the existing collection.

7.1.3. Preserve museum objects and prolong their usefulness to the study of material culture by maintaining artifacts in normal museum conditions. Normal museum conditions are considered to be a stable environment that is free from repeated daily and seasonal extreme changes of temperature, humidity, and light. Heritage activities with artifacts on exhibit or in storage should strive to maintain a constant temperature of 67 degrees and relative humidity of 47 percent, with no more than a 5 degree temperature or 5 percent humidity variation.

Regularly monitor environmental conditions in all areas. Inability to control temperature and humidity may necessitate the removal of items that are negatively impacted by climate fluctuations.

7.1.4. Use reasonable care to protect rare and historically significant examples of aerospace vehicles and support equipment from the weather and changing climates. Do not display aerospace vehicles of predominantly wood and fabric construction outside.

7.1.5. Protect delicate original fabrics, finishes, and materials from deterioration by following generally accepted museum conservation standards found in The Care of Antiques and Historical Collections by A. Bruce MacLeish, published by the American Association for State and Local History, 1717 Church Street, Nashville TN 37203-2991. Protect photographic negatives, prints, audio/visual materials and electronic resources such as CDs and DVDs following generally accepted archival preservation methods and standards found in Preserving Archives and Manuscripts by Mary Lynn Ritzenthaler, published by The Society of American Archivists, 2010. Refer artifact conservation matters to the NMUSAF Conservator, NMUSAF/MUC and archival conservation matters to NMUSAF Manuscript Curators, NMUSAF/MUA who assists in determining appropriate action.

7.1.6. Protect archived photographic prints in chemically inert polypropylene, polyethylene, or polyester (Mylar) archival sleeves. Protect negatives in protective archival safe, acid-free, 1151431859C Highlight

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non-buffered paper sleeves. Wear white cotton gloves (without non-slip grips) when handling un-sleeved photographs, negatives, and transparencies. Apply numbers in soft pencil to individual reference material items and affix permanent numbers to folders or containers.

7.1.7. Create a Collection Management Disaster Contingency Plan that outlines both the prevention of and response to disasters involving historical property (see paragraph 8.3.4.3).

7.1.8. Collections storage.

7.1.8.1. Ensure collection storage areas are locked and accessible only to essential staff or volunteers.

7.1.8.2. Roll large two-dimensional textiles, such as flags and colors, on museum-safe cylindrical supports and suspend them horizontally if possible.

7.1.8.3. Hang garments on padded hangers or lay them flat in wide drawers with proper padding to ensure support.

7.1.8.4. Raise bottom shelves of open-shelf collection storage units far enough off the floor to minimize damage if flooding should occur (at least 4 inches is generally recommended).

7.2. Handling and Displaying Artifacts.

7.2.1. Within reason, display all artifacts in cases.

7.2.2. Wear white cotton gloves (vinyl, un-powdered latex or nitrile may be substituted) when handling artifacts. Wear white cotton gloves without non-slip grips when handling silver.

7.2.3. Use museum-safe materials to construct exhibit furnishings. Such materials prevent contact between artifacts and hostile surfaces or between artifacts of dissimilar materials (see Attachment 4).

7.2.4. Mount artifacts in such a way as to prevent movement, damage, or theft. Do not use materials or methods of mounting that stress, damage, or in any manner alter the artifact being displayed.

7.2.5. Do not put screws, nails, pins, single- or double-sided tape, or other adhesives in direct contact with any artifact (i.e. nailing or stapling a flag or guidon to a display case backing; scotch taping a photograph or documentary artifact to display case backing). Do not use aquarium cement, which emits acetic acid during curing time.

7.2.6. Ensure all mat board, whether used as mounting, barriers, or identification labels, is 100 percent acid-free. Do not affix or place identification labels directly onto artifacts (with pins, nails, staples or adhesives).

7.2.7. Do not display original photographs, archival documents, or records. Use color laser or photographic copies instead. Label any copies on exhibit as copies or reproductions.

7.2.8. Treatment or repair of damaged artifacts, except by a trained professional, can often result in further damage. Document any damage or deterioration to artifacts on AF Form 3573. Address questions on standard conservation methods and mounting artifacts for display to the NMUSAF Conservator. Refer archival preservation questions to Manuscript Curators, NMUSAF Research Division.

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7.2.9. Include, at a minimum, identification labels for historical property on exhibit. Include longer, more comprehensive interpretive labels in exhibits according to the exhibit script.

See Attachment 4 for specific label design requirements.

7.3. Restoration and Maintenance of Aerospace Vehicles and Support Equipment. Proper restoration and routine maintenance ensures aerospace vehicles and related equipment are safe and properly configured to accurately reflect USAF history, heritage and traditions. To the greatest extent possible, these functions are accomplished on a preplanned scheduled basis.

Planning provides the most effective and efficient use of people, facilities and equipment, reduces unscheduled maintenance, and allows for progressive actions toward displaying vehicles and equipment for the long term.

7.3.1. At a minimum, schedule maintenance and/or restoration actions to keep aerospace vehicles and related equipment from deteriorating further. Perform limited disassembly of the vehicle and selected disassembly of components. Thoroughly inspect the aerospace vehicle and locate, identify and remove all areas of corrosion. Make sure the vehicle is clean and free from dirt, debris, carbon and contaminants. Apply a corrosion-preventative chemical film as specified in the appropriate aircraft Technical Order (TO) to all surfaces, reassemble all components and items, apply final chemical coating and protect the vehicle from the elements while it awaits restoration.

7.3.2. Schedule periodic inspections and maintenance to assist in the preservation of aerospace vehicles and related equipment. Reapplication of colors, markings and insignia (CMI) packages on vehicles displayed outdoors should be accomplished on a recommended 5 year interval or units may use a scoring system in accordance with AFI 20-114, Air and Space Equipment Structural Management. Accomplish cleaning and related treatments more frequently if conditions warrant.

7.3.2.1. Heritage activities will establish corrosion prevention and control programs if they are responsible for maintenance of aerospace vehicles and related equipment as required by AFI 20-114. (T-1). The type of program depends upon the environment to which the aerospace vehicle is exposed. Vehicles and equipment displayed outdoors may be exposed to industrial gases, salts, rain or mud. An effective corrosion prevention and control program includes thorough cleaning, inspections, and preservation.

7.3.2.2. Check for corrosion damage and integrity of protective finishes during all scheduled and unscheduled maintenance. Early detection and repair of corrosion limit further damage. When corrosion is discovered, treat corrosion as soon as possible using only approved materials, equipment and techniques. Repair affected areas only. Seal and paint as needed in accordance with TO 1-1-8 and the systems specific TO.

7.3.2.3. Clean aerospace vehicles and related equipment regularly in order to prevent corrosion by removing salt deposits, other corrosive soils and electrolytes. Ensure that periodic washing of vehicles or equipment displayed outdoors complies with all local environmental policies and regulations.

7.3.3. Restore aerospace vehicles and equipment to original manufacturer's or operational appearance for the period depicted. Repair all damages except in those instances when it may be critical to the historical character, integrity, or provenance of the artifact (e.g. battle damage). In these cases, damage should not be altered. Systems need not be operational.