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Conservation cleaning Plains Indian exhibitions

Interns working in the exhibits
Laura Siegfried and Robin Allison cleaned the collections inside this very rare buffalo tipi. NA.302.126

The Sparkle Team began its winter cleaning of the exhibits at the Center. The team is made up of interns and volunteers. Every winter we make our way among the tipis, mountain lions, and paintings to prepare for the springtime return of thousands of visitors to the center.

Shelly Buffalo Calf cleaning Plains Indian collections
Shelly Buffalo Calf uses a soft brush to lightly dust objects.

Mostly this involves treading gingerly around mannequins and taxidermy.

We open cases if we feel that some time has passed since the last cleaning of collections and case furniture. We use clean brushes, soft cotton rags, and sometimes we may have to figure out how to reach a bird hanging from the ceiling of the Draper Natural History Museum. It is such a special opportunity to be close to the collections and even get a feel for what it must be like to live with them.

Categories Conservation

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Beverly Perkins avatar

Beverly Perkins

Beverly Perkins has lived in Cody for over 5 years. She came to Cody via: New York City, Southern California, London, Chicago, Cooperstown, and Winterthur. Although she enjoys city life, she loves living in Cody.

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