Yesterday I went shopping for a shelf to put my dolls on when I moved into my own place (yet to be found but I like to plan head), and after looking at big glass doored cabinets I decided on a much cheaper bookshelf from Office Works. I figure if I really want one of those antique cabinets I can get one later and just use this to store books. The one I got is twice as wide and in chocolate brown. I won't bother setting it up until I move house.
I spoke with the curator of one of Canberra's local historic houses, Calthorpe's House on a class excursion. She said she also struggled with "display vs conserve" but as the house is meant to look exactly as it did in 1927, they tend to display things. So the wardrobe in the bedroom contains their lovely gowns, all hanging up, when proper storage guidelines would dictate that it should be laid flat. They left one room untreated, the maids room and the paint is peeling from the walls. The rest is restored, and looks like it would have when it was new.
It is comparable to the struggle I've noticed at my own work too, as I work in the section that provides access to the collection, there is often tension between the access and preservation areas. Do we spend all our money on preserving the stuff and have none left to make it accessible or do we make it accessible so people can actually see the stuff we have fully preserved? There are a lot of very talented people at work, working on preserving this material and I often think they feel like they are not appreciated. Ahh it breaks my brain. I personally can't see the point in preserving if no one can access but I am biased because I have to argue this point on the behalf of pushing clients. I'd love it if we just had enough money to do everything.
Follow up: Doll Storage - Follow Up
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