The Collections Team on the Road to Reopening

During the time HMNS has been closed, constant attention is given to ensure that collections and buildings are safe and secure and that all systems are functioning as they should. Assigned staff has been making routine checks, paying close attention to collections in special storage.

While another portion of the staff has been working throughout the museum to provide necessary signage and protection for staff and visitors, the Collections team has been working hard to prepare the museum to welcome visitors in the galleries when we reopened today.

We have taken this time as an opportunity to make some needed repairs, to clean walls and large display cases from top to bottom as part of the maintenance needed in all the galleries in our museum.

Some displays require a very delicate touch with soft tools and brushes to clean around artifacts and specimens ultra carefully. It has also been a good opportunity for cross-training, with several members of the staff helping across duties, and across departments.

You might be wondering what it takes to dust giant dinosaurs. Well, you have to begin with a very LOOOOOONG extension cord and a heavy duty source of power to handle all the equipment. Our Curator of Paleontology, David Temple, works from the top of the scissor lift with several pieces of equipment and tools to remove the dust from the dinosaurs: working with an air compressor he uses wands to gently blow air; he also uses a special vacuum cleaner with a long hose and several types of brushes to dust the more fragile and intricate bones.