Happy New Year, TexCons'lers - Could you please direct to me to published sources that state that the accessioned costumes in the collection should NOT be worn? I am looking for US sources in particular (AAM? AASLH? Or?) - I am not a member of either AAM nor AASLH and so can't access their membership publications/references. Unfortunately, the 'Caring For Your Treasures - Textiles" brochure posted on the AIC website doesn't say anything about it: https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v1/url?u=http://www.conservation-us.org/docs/default-source/public-relations/textiles&k=diZKtJPqj4jWksRIF4bjkw%3D%3D%0A&r=YEYT9a57DeMCjLRn%2ByOKwM2slibCGhe2fkJNBp6S2cA%3D%0A&m=ED3DqRG%2Fruse6iZE5RFW%2FE%2FMGX2eM2YCjZ1r%2Bl4BqZw%3D%0A&s=d410512169bad2050ef5c6c80f07f6ee0563c4cf237f8717fe5f0988d76caefd .pdf?sfvrsn=0 Perhaps this can be changed the next time this brochure is reviewed and revised. The NPS Museum Handbook, Part 1, Appendix K (page 33) states: Wearing original historic costumes is unacceptable in a museum context. Accidents, perspiration, make-up, stress of dressing and wear, and sudden gestures or movements create excessive, immediate hazards that cannot be justified. I know about the ICOM - Costume Committee Guidelines located at https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v1/url?u=http://www.costume-committee.org/index.php?option%3Dcom_content&k=diZKtJPqj4jWksRIF4bjkw%3D%3D%0A&r=YEYT9a57DeMCjLRn%2ByOKwM2slibCGhe2fkJNBp6S2cA%3D%0A&m=ED3DqRG%2Fruse6iZE5RFW%2FE%2FMGX2eM2YCjZ1r%2Bl4BqZw%3D%0A&s=07848314ffcde8626fe0756fd0508a1653824effae70a6b48e853c42f33cc0ac <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v1/url?u=http://www.costume-committee.org/index.php?option%3Dcom_content%26view%3Darticle%26%250Aid%3D17%26Itemid%3D24&k=diZKtJPqj4jWksRIF4bjkw%3D%3D%0A&r=YEYT9a57DeMCjLRn%2ByOKwM2slibCGhe2fkJNBp6S2cA%3D%0A&m=ED3DqRG%2Fruse6iZE5RFW%2FE%2FMGX2eM2YCjZ1r%2Bl4BqZw%3D%0A&s=860d062e790717c623512ac6dc237ed819ad9db0be8c0d0849b86fa4742d9bf6> &view=article&id=17&Itemid=24 where it is stated: "Objects must never be worn. They should be displayed flat or on dummies for photography." I am hoping that both AAM and AASLH (any other source?) have guidelines/standards that also state what is obvious to us in the profession. I am disconcerted that I have to provide published sources to a historical society to "prove" that they shouldn't allow the wearing of their accessioned costume collection! Thank you for your collective knowledge and advice! Regards, Meg . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___________ Margaret E. Geiss-Mooney Textile/Costume Conservator & Collections Management Consultant Professional Associate - AIC 707-763-8694 [log in to unmask]
