Museum Display

How does The National Archives and Records Administration (Washington D.C.) exhibit and protect the Emancipation Proclamation and other invaluable American documents as they tour the country? As the National Archives building in Washington, D.C. undergoes major renovations, the “American Originals” exhibit will tour the nation over the next two-and-a-half years with priceless documents protected in special UV inhibiting, abrasion resistant acrylic vitrines. The National Archives chose ACRYLITE® OP-2 and ACRYLITE® AR OP-2 acrylic sheet from CYRO Industries as the vitrine material due to the unique safeguarding characteristics of these sheet products. The National Archives has commissioned Exhibits Unlimited Inc. of Alexandria, Virginia to build and assemble the custom-made travel exhibit cases. Together they are taking every precaution to protect these precious documents while on display to ensure they will be preserved for future generations to view and enjoy. The vitrines are possibly the most important part of any display, protecting the artifacts from public contact and environmental exposure. The glazing materials used for the vitrines on tour are cell cast acrylic sheet that filters out 98 percent of harmful UV light, which can cause documents to fade and yellow over time. UV filtering material is necessary for displaying old or fragile documents exposed to light over prolonged periods of time. The UV filtering properties does not affect the superior optical clarity of both ACRYLITE OP-2 and ACRYLITE AR OP-2. Artifacts placed underneath the sheet, and not in direct contact with it remain undistorted, making it ideal for display case applications. Along with using UV inhibiting acrylic vitrines the National Archives has specified that all documents and artifacts in 22 exhibit cases not be illuminated by more than 3 to 5 footcandles to further ensure the preservation of the documents on the tour. The National Archives wanted displays that would give patrons close contact to all of the artifacts without putting them at risk for damage. Pieces such as The Emancipation Proclamation, and Thomas Edison’s patent for the electric lamp, sit on inclined linen-covered planed decks for easy viewing under the vitrines. Patrons can get close enough to study George Washington’s handwriting if so desired. The National Archives chose to use an abrasion resistant acrylic sheet for the vitrine tops. The acrylic tops of the displays are what people touch the most as they view the documents. To keep the display looking its best over the next few years, the National Archives specified the use of ACRYLITE AR OP-2 acrylic vitrines. ACRYLITE AR OP-2 sheet combines UV inhibiting properties with an abrasion and chemical resistant coating giving it 20 times the mar resistance of uncoated sheet, protecting it from microscopic scratches that could accumulate and cause standard acrylic to haze over time. ACRYLITE AR OP-2 sheet is available with one or both sides coated. The National Archives selected one-sided sheet for this application, allowing the uncoated underside of the sheet to be easily bonded to the vitrine sides. The National Archives used the same display design in the past for its “Picturing the Century” exhibit, and the displays have held up well for over two years. “We are pleased with ACRYLITE AR OP-2’s scratch and general wear resistance, as well as its clarity and UV filtering properties, which is why we decided to use it again for the traveling “American Originals” exhibit,” says Michael Jackson, Senior Exhibit Designer for the National Archives. Patrons will be in close contact with the displays, therefore, it is important that the vitrine be shatter resistant and have exceptional impact strength. The National Archives chose to use 3/8-inch acrylic sheet for the vitrines to insure sufficient joint strength. The documents are encapsulated and placed onto custom-made artifact mounts and mats. They are then placed onto special linen covered rigid, inclined plane decks that sit atop the pedestal bases. The vitrines are then placed on the pedestals and secured into place. Three case sizes are being used on the tour, all standing the same height but varying in width from 59 inches to 77 inches and depth from 35 to 37 inches in order to support pieces ranging from parchment to note pads. The pedestal bases of the 22 cases resemble a desk with a flat rectangular top supported by two solid legs. The bases all stand approximately thirty-one inches from the floor, on top of which sits the 10-inch high acrylic vitrine. For the artifacts’ protection all materials for the displays are chosen to minimize harmful outgassing; low volatile organic compound (VOC) stains, sealants, and substrates are used. Organic compounds are substrates, naturally occurring or synthetic, which contain carbon hydrogen bonds at a molecular level. VOC’s are solid or liquid organic compounds that readily release vapor or “outgas” at room temperature. Though the cases are not airtight, material outgassing can escape into the display and potentially harm the documents. The National Archives specified Medium Density Overlay (MDO) plywood for the pedestal bases. The board is made of high quality wood with little outgassing from either the material itself or the glue used in layering the board. The MDO bases then have custom cherry veneer laid over them and solid custom cherry molding finishes the edges, accenting the base. Water-based stains and finishes are applied to the wood, and are custom made and mixed to meet National Archives’ specifications to minimize outgassing. The tops of the bases are specially sealed with three layers of a custom, lowluster, water-based sealant to further reduce outgassing into the case. Outgassing naturally occurs with most materials, but in an enclosed environment containing such fragile artifacts as these, every precaution must be taken. The National Archives is comfortable with using both the ACRYLITE and the adhesives used in bonding it. Both materials become inert quickly with minimal material outgassing.