[Nhcoll-l] Delbridge MNH closing over chemical concerns

[Knox, Dr Alan G.]

This is ridiculous and goodness knows who was advising them. On this rationale almost every natural history museum would be shut down immediately. As I think someone else queried, there may be more going on - in this bit from the article referenced below (my underlining):

Through that conversation and with future uses for the space in mind, the zoo began looking at potential options for the collection.

I'd be worried other administrators will look at this with glee and start planning more closures.

Alan

Dr Alan Knox
Emeritus Head of Museums
University of Aberdeen

From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> On Behalf Of Schlenker, Lori Bryn
Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2023 5:36 PM
To: Opitz, Cindy E <cindy-opitz at uiowa.edu>; Nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Delbridge MNH closing over chemical concerns

CAUTION: External email. Ensure this message is from a trusted source and exercise caution before clicking links/opening attachments.

There is more info in this article:

Zoo details what led up to Delbridge Museum closure, what's next - SiouxFalls.Business<https://www.siouxfalls.business/zoo-details-what-led-up-to-delbridge-museum-closure-whats-next/>

Our Visitor Services manager is preparing the museum front desk staff in case someone asks about 'chemicals' in the taxidermy and risks to the public.


Lori Schlenker
KU Biodiversity Institute
Dyche Hall, 1345 Jayhawk Blvd.
Lawrence, KS 66045
(785) 864-2343

From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu>> On Behalf Of Opitz, Cindy E
Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2023 10:45 AM
To: Nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:Nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Delbridge MNH closing over chemical concerns

Recently announced: The closure of the Delbridge MNH in South Dakota, "over concerns that chemicals in its taxidermy collection could endanger visitors and staff," and plans to decommission the collection and dispose of the taxidermy mounts.

Article:
https://apnews.com/article/south-dakota-taxidermy-natural-history-museum-closed-chemicals-8705995a1bf8a45ceb65174e5821308a

Video featuring the taxidermy mounts:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx--6nZuLnQ



Cindy Opitz (she/her)
Director of Research Collections
Museum of Natural History and Old Capitol Museum
Instructor, Museum Studies Certificate Program
The University of Iowa
11 Macbride Hall, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
Office: 319.335.0481
cindy-opitz at uiowa.edu<mailto:cindy-opitz at uiowa.edu>
mnh.uiowa.edu,<https://mnh.uiowa.edu/> oldcap.uiowa.edu<https://oldcap.uiowa.edu/>
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The University of Aberdeen is a charity registered in Scotland, No SC013683.
Tha Oilthigh Obar Dheathain na charthannas cl?raichte ann an Alba, ?ir. SC013683.
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