Newbie Needs Help!

["Judy Kelius (judysue)" <judysue@xxxxxxx>]

Hi - I just joined the list and recently became Coordinator of the
Pennsylvania Quilt & Textile Museum in Lititz, PA (Lancaster County). This
is a small, privately owned museum with quilts, clothing, and other
textiles. It opened about a year ago with a collection of quilts all
acquired from one Lancaster County family (including three fabulous
political medallion quilts). Up until I came on board, the museum did not
have a dedicated staff, just someone who helped organize it on a per hour
basis. I started a little over a month ago (will be full-time), and the
museum has been closed for reorganization, reopening the first week of
September.

My primary focus so far has been acquisition - in about a month we have
built a collection of about 50 additional quilts and some smaller pieces,
emphasis on Pennsylvania but with a few selected others like a Baltimore
Album quilt and an 1864 quilt made for a Michigan man to take with him to
the Civil War, showing 20 buildings he would have recognized (two of which
we have identified!). The collection is definitely first-class.

Right now I'm planning a new exhibit, documenting and photographing quilts,
and much more (I'm IT . . . the only staff person for the museum).

My question to the list is any advice for a newbie to the world of museums
and conservation. My background is strong in quilt history and quilting,
but I am not an expert in conservation, storage, etc. Any tips welcome!

One specific question - what is the best way to get rid of the musty odors
of some of our new acquisitions without harming the fabrics? (By the way,
we're in the process of following guidelines from the American Textiles
Museum for freezing several wool pieces in case there are any moth eggs in
them. We are "critter-free" right now and want to stay that way!)

There is a web site for the museum and the complex in which it is located -
www.lititzjunction.com. One of my jobs is to redo this as well! If you have
a dial-up connection, you will find it very difficult to access.

Thanks!