Using Research on Preservation and Conservation in a Historic House

A comprehensive, multidisciplinary research effort at the Plantin-Moretus House-Workshops-Museum Complex—designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005—revealed critical insights into the preservation challenges faced by historic houses. The study identified significant risks to collection objects due to airborne pollutants, fluctuating climate factors (temperature and relative humidity), light exposure, and presentation protocols. Through targeted research, it demonstrated the detrimental effects of these environmental stressors on displayed objects, providing a detailed 'status of conservation' that serves as a foundation for evidence-based preservation policies. This approach not only addresses the practical needs of overseeing governments but also fosters collaboration among stakeholders by offering a compelling justification for procedural and presentational changes in museum management.

De Roo, T. (2014). Using Research on Preservation and Conservation in a Historic House. Collections: A Journal for Museum and Archives Professionals, 10(1), 127–151. https://doi.org/10.1177/155019061401000109