[NHCOLL-L:4666] Taxidermic mount storage

[Ashley Henderson]

Hi Everyone,

I am trying to relocate and improve storage for a variety of taxidermic
mounts in our collection.  I haven't been able to find much on storage
of this type of collection.  I want to see if anyone has any
suggestions.  We have many shoulder mounts on hanging plaques.  These
have always been hung on walls.  Is this standard or should they be
boxed or stored on shelves in some way?  We also have full body mounts
of birds and smaller mammals.  Are these typically stored on open
shelving or is there some other great way to deal with them and save
space?  Finally, there are one or two mounts that are in very poor
condition due to bad taxidermy or previous pest infestation.  I would
like to deaccession them, but we have never been able to do so because
of lack of a disposal plan.  They can't be traded or sold.  How are
mounts, especially older ones with arsenic present, typically destroyed
for disposal?  Any ideas are greatly appreciated!

Thanks for the advice,



Ashley Henderson

Collection Manager
Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History
www.ccmuseum.com
(361) 826-4659