[Nhcoll-l] Why retain physical specimens

[Simon Moore]

Now for my tuppence worth.  Back in the fairly misty fluid preservation history (1989), I lectured at a fluid preservation one day conference hosted by Manchester Museum.  One of the speakers was John Peake (some of you may remember?) who argued about the possible benefits of removing fluid-preserved specimens from collections as they’re too much bother and expense to maintain. Unsurprisingly he was shouted down by many who argued about the necessities that you have all outlined below, of fluid-preserved / frozen material.
This topic keeps on raising its ugly head now and again, usually from museum directors anxious to save money, storage space and on staff salaries. It seems to have been initiated by Thomas Pole in 1790 who so elegantly put it: “It is found to be attended with no small difficulty, to enclose wet preparations in glasses, so as to prevent effectually the evaporation of the spirits, which occasions very considerable trouble, and no small expense to keep a large anatomical collection in good order”
However, I am (once again) reassured that common sense still prevails.

With all good wishes, Simon.

Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR
Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian, 



www.natural-history-conservation.com 




> On 26 Sep 2019, at 22:24, Kevin Winker <kevin.winker at alaska.edu> wrote:
> 
> All of these are great responses, and I'm sure we've all used variants of them. But I wonder if perhaps we might reach more of the public by helping them realize that images do not define things. 
> 
> For example, once the marriage photos have been taken, why stay married? Once your child's school photos have been taken...? If we want to know and experience the real details, we need the real things.
> 
> Best, K.
> 
> On Thu, Sep 26, 2019 at 10:02 AM Sarah K. Huber <skhuber at vims.edu <mailto:skhuber at vims.edu>> wrote:
> Recently I’ve been fielding a lot of questions about why our collection should retain a physical specimen once it has been digitized (e.g., CT-scanned, photographed, x-rayed, etc.). I’m curious how often other museum professionals are asked this question and what your general responses are for justifying the retention of a physical specimen. Why do you tell people it’s important to retain a specimen?
> 
>  
> 
> If anyone knows of article that have addressed this specific question I would appreciate references so that I can have them on hand for particularly curious visitors.
> 
>  
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Sarah
> 
>  
> 
> Sarah K. Huber, Ph.D.
> Curatorial Associate, VIMS Nunnally Ichthyology Collection
> Office 804.684.7104 | Collection 804.684.7285
> skhuber at vims.edu <mailto:skhuber at vims.edu> | http://www.vims.edu/research/facilities/fishcollection/index.php <http://www.vims.edu/research/facilities/fishcollection/index.php>
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>  
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> -- 
> Kevin Winker
> Brina Kessel Curator of Birds
> University of Alaska Museum
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> 
> Professor, Dept. Biology & Wildlife and Inst. of Arctic Biology
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> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to
> society. See http://www.spnhc.org for membership information.
> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.

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