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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Hi Holly!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">I’m the Chair of the Conservation Committee for SPNHC. The resources that others have already sent you are really great and part of what I suggest to people as well. MANY of them were even created by members
of our Committee. </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif">😊</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Cleaning (e.g. brushing and vacuuming) is a big step in the conservation of historic taxidermy, and one can use the same techniques used in cleaning other museum objects. I’ve done a few webinars on the topic
that are available for free on YouTube, here’s one version (I see that John sent it to you, as well):
<a href="https://youtu.be/POZtVBwj6jw?si=084Hm3l4jdmQnHfo">https://youtu.be/POZtVBwj6jw?si=084Hm3l4jdmQnHfo</a> It’s amazing what dust removal can do for a specimen, even if the mount itself might not be of the highest quality.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">If you have any questions beyond cleaning (or more in general!), I’d recommend reaching out to natural science conservators in Australia. I feel comfortable providing you with the emails of Sheldon Teare (<a href="mailto:sheldon.teare@austmus.gov.au">sheldon.teare@austmus.gov.au</a>)
and Dani Measday (<a href="mailto:dmeasday@museum.vic.gov.au">dmeasday@museum.vic.gov.au</a>) on this public list, as I know they are active in helping emerging conservators (if you’re reading this, Sheldon and Dani, hope you don’t mind!).
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">The Institute for Natural History Arts provides a hands-on, two-day course led by Bethany Palumbo (also of SPNHC) and myself where students can practice on actual pieces. This year’s class just took place
last month, but keep an eye out for future offerings. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">As for the arsenic, even if you are unable to test them, just wear your protective nitrile or latex gloves (if you don’t have a latex allergy), and be sure to wash your hands after removing the gloves. Also
be sure NOT to touch your face/mouth while wearing the gloves, and promptly remove them once done working on the mounts. Studies have found great success in vacuuming the work area with a HEPA vacuum to prevent the spread of any heavy metal particles that
may fall out of the mount while working. As I’ve been told, “The HEPA vacuum is your friend!” I even vacuum my clothes when I’m done.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Hope this is a helpful start!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Best,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Fran<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Fran Ritchie, Conservator (Objects)</span></b><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">she/her<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Harpers Ferry Center<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a href="mailto:Fran_Ritchie@nps.gov"><span style="color:#0563C1">Fran_Ritchie@nps.gov</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">American Institute for Conservation Professional Associate (peer-reviewed)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/museums/conserve-o-grams.htm"><span style="color:#0563C1">NPS Conserve O Grams - Museums & Collections (U.S. National Park Service)</span></a></span><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Holly Brown<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, July 21, 2025 2:49 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [EXTERNAL] [Nhcoll-l] Taxidermy bird conservation advice<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p align="center" style="text-align:center"><strong><span style="font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;color:black"> This email has been received from outside of DOI - Use caution before clicking on links, opening attachments, or responding. </span></strong><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Hello!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">I am an emerging conservator based in Australia and was guided to Nhcoll for advice by my lecturer at the University of Melbourne. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">I am working part time as a Museum Officer for a collection that has some taxidermy bird specimens. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">There has been no conservation action on these taxidermy birds (hawk and eagle specimens), and I would appreciate advice on best practice conservation care and preventative conservation measures I could try. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">I am currently planning on testing the birds for arsenic using a basic arsenic test kit I have seen online to ensure they are safe to handle and display. Other than that, I would be open to any other suggestions
on how best to care for these objects. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Thank you so much in advance! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Holly Brown <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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