Dusting the Elephants at Florence Griswold Museum

Dusting the Elephants: Challenges and Techniques to Preserving Natural Science Collections

Fran Ritchie, Natural Science Conservator, American Museum of Natural History, New York

The ephemeral quality of natural specimens and taxidermy is at odds with the museum conservator’s work towards preserving collections that are historically, scientifically, and artistically important. Ritchie has worked on collections across the U.S., from Alaska to New York to teach museums how to care for these objects and why they are as valuable as fine art.