Refrigerated Storage

[Beatrice Hulsberg <bhuls@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I hope that someone on the list can refer me to current literature on the
use of "cold storage" rooms for textile storage.  I am the Assistant
Curator in a State Museum and there is a possibility that our storage areas
will be renovated and expanded.  At present, I am fortunate to have a cold
storage room that handles about two-thirds of our textile collection
(several thousand objects from costume to quilts).  Everything is jammed
both in the cold room and in the regular cabinets.  We are looking at
high-density storage units.  The problem is that I insist that we keep the
cold room; however, our conservators (who are not textile conservators)
have informed management that we do not need the cold storage and it could
be eliminated.  We do have textiles like a buffalo robe, furs, feathers,
etc. that I believe benefit from the colder temperatures as well as the
wools.  By the way, we have 32,000+ objects including furniture that will
also require new storage.  I have had the freedom for several years to be
responsible for the textiles and would very much appreciate any advice
regarding storage that the list members could give.  Thank you.  Beatrice
Hulsberg