Last week in the museum community, discussions revolved around practical challenges and intriguing historical insights. Members shared their experiences with mold issues due to HVAC failures, offering tips on safe cleanup practices. There was a lively debate on the historical origins of the phrase “well-behaved women seldom make history,” which brought to light various interpretations and its impact on public history narratives. Additionally, members contributed ideas for shaping upcoming press briefings, emphasizing the importance of effective communication in museum operations.
This Week’s Hot Topics
Mold bloom after HVAC hiccup — best safe cleanup
There’s a useful thread about handling mold issues safely after a ventilation problem. It’s a practical read for anyone facing similar challenges in their museum space. Read more here
At 7:02 the mic died
A discussion about a technical glitch during a live event highlights the importance of having a backup plan for AV equipment. Read more here
Earliest use of ‘well-behaved women seldom make history’
This thread dives into the origins of a popular phrase, sparking discussions on its historical context and implications. Read more here
Help shape our next press briefing
Members are collaborating on how to craft more engaging and impactful press briefings, a topic of interest for those involved in museum PR. Read more here
Micro-teaching practice hour Jan 9
This session offers a chance to refine teaching skills in a supportive environment, perfect for museum educators looking to enhance their craft. Read more here
Looking forward to another week of insightful discussions. Have a great week ahead!
Had the same HVAC hiccup in October; HEPA‑vac first, then 70% ethanol on non‑porous cases, and bag prefilters before pulling them out. > more here Micro-teaching practice hour Jan 9 This session offers a chance to refine teaching skills in a supportive environment, perfect for — we used that hour for a 15‑min mold drill with @FacilitiesJo, and if RH’s still above 60% skip fans and rent a desiccant unit for 48h; it took us from 68% to 45%.
One thing that’s helped us after an “HVAC hiccup”: we run a portable HEPA air scrubber to create slight negative pressure in the room (quick tissue-at-the-door test) for 8–12 hours post-cleanup; rentals here are about $40/day and it cut spore drift into adjacent cases. If you try it, @mroberts22, just be mindful of placement — don’t aim the exhaust toward open textiles or you’ll stir up more than you trap.
During our recent spot of mold, we staged a one-way ‘dirty → clean’ table (think airport security for objects) and switched gloves between zones to stop bounce-back; just spot-test ethanol near shellac or lacquer… @sjones26, the AIC mold page was clutch: Category:Mold/Fungi - MediaWiki — anyone tried ATP swabs to confirm surfaces?