[NHCOLL-L:2308] Moving large wall mounted dinosaurs

[Janet Waddington]

We have several large hadrosaur dinosaurs mounted in partial matrix in
what were once the traditional wooden frames, but have been modified to
blend in with a fake rock wall.  The old mounts are still attached to
the backs of the original frames, but the sides and glass have been
removed.
We plan to move these dinosaurs from their present position, into a new
gallery, which will entail moving them across an old floor (1930s
construction).

Does anyone have any experience with this type of move?  One problem we
are experiencing is estimating the weight of the mounts. Estimates range
up to several thousand pounds (4,000 to 10,000).  The last time these
dinosaurs were moved was just within the room they are in now and they
were laid on their backs and moved on rollers, but this time they will
have to go through a door and will have to be kept upright to fit. At
least one of them was moved from the third floor to the second floor
during the 1932 expansion, but history fails to relate how this was
achieved.

Any ideas, real or anecdotal, would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Janet Waddington
Assistant Curator, Palaeobiology
Managing Editor, Collection Forum
Royal Ontario Museum
100 Queen's Park
Toronto, ON
Canada M5S 2C6
Phone  (416) 586-5593
Fax  (416) 586-5863
Email  janetw at rom.on.ca