Beetles put Sussex museum artefacts at risk (From The Argus)

Beetles put Sussex museum artefacts at risk

12:00pm Sunday 5th July 2009 in

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BUG infestations and poor light levels are putting a museum’s collection of rare artefacts “at risk.”

According to a council report specimens housed at Brighton and Hove’s Booth Museum are in danger of crumbling away due to inadequate storage.

It claims the collections, which have been designated of national importance, are fading because of light levels in the Dyke Road Building while stuffed birds are being eaten by beetles.

The report, the Museums Forward Plan 2009-2012, lays out the city council’s plans for the Brighton and Hove museums and Royal Pavilion for the next three years.

It states: “The Booth Museum collections are at risk; whilst the museum offers wonderful insight into how museums used to be, this ‘time capsule’ is not the best environment for such important collections.”

The report also says artefacts at the second largest regional natural history museum, which help to teach children and academics worldwide, are currently inaccessible.

It goes on to highlight the problem of the Booth Museum’s location, outside the city centre in Dyke Road, Brighton, which limits the number of visitors it receives.

The report lists the longterm sustainability of the museum as one of its key priorities and aims to prepare an action plan to preserve the collections.

Stuffed animals are prone to infestations from lice and beetles which can destroy them if left untreated.

An outbreak of carpet beetles was found in a collection of mammals at Liverpool museum in 2001, hundreds of specimens had to be frozen and the museum treated.

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said: “We’re not suggesting the collection is in imminent danger.

This is a long-term planning report. We’re being honest and realistic about the fact these issues need addressing in the long term and factoring into our plans.

“Most museums are only able to show the tip of their iceberg of collections. We would like to show a lot more and have better access for researchers.

“In the meantime we’re constantly working to access various funding sources to help support our collections.”

The spokesman said its two members of staff monitored collections regularly and treated problems with an oxygen free environment and a mild insecticide if necessary.

The museum houses about half a million specimens including hundreds of British birds, a Victorian “mermaid”, whale and dinosaur bones and literature going back more than 300 years.