Q&A 32: Curatorial Adventures with Ashley Hlebinsky

Published on August 8, 2019
Duration: 58:45

Curator Ashley Hlebinsky discusses the challenges and intricacies of managing a major firearms museum. Key insights include preservation techniques using ethanol and wax, the legal hurdles for acquiring post-1986 machine guns for non-government institutions, and the debate around firing rare artifacts. The conversation also touches on the importance of hands-on experience for curators and the ongoing efforts for museum collaboration and digital access.

Quick Summary

Museums like the Cody Firearms Museum preserve firearms using ethanol for metal and wax, and saliva for wood. Display lighting is kept low (25 foot-candles) to prevent material degradation. Legal hurdles like the NFA restrict acquisition of certain post-1986 machine guns for non-government institutions.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Museum Renovation
  2. 02:13Becoming a Firearms Curator
  3. 05:30Maintaining Museum Collections
  4. 08:34Supporting Museums & Legal Hurdles
  5. 10:22Glove Debate: Cotton vs. Nitrile
  6. 14:10Shoot vs. Preserve Debate
  7. 16:16Gender & Age in Curation
  8. 18:16Evolutionary Documentation: Winchester
  9. 21:12Museum Collaboration & Inventory
  10. 25:59Academic Hostility & Curation Challenges

Frequently Asked Questions

How are firearms preserved in museums like the Cody Firearms Museum?

The Cody Firearms Museum follows American Alliance of Museums standards, using ethanol for metal and microcrystalline wax for preservation. For wood, they use saliva due to its enzyme properties. Display lighting is kept low at 25 foot-candles to prevent material degradation.

What legal challenges do non-government firearms museums face?

Non-government museums encounter significant hurdles with the National Firearms Act (NFA) and the Hughes Amendment. These regulations prevent them from acquiring certain historically important post-1986 machine guns, impacting their ability to preserve a complete historical record.

Should rare firearms be fired for research purposes?

Firing rare firearms carries the risk of damaging irreplaceable parts. The Cody Museum addresses this by exploring 'non-permanent collections'—functional duplicates or less rare examples that can be fired for research and demonstration without endangering primary artifacts.

What is the best way to become a firearms curator?

There isn't a specific degree for firearms history. Aspiring curators typically need a Master's in History with specialized research, combined with extensive hands-on experience through internships, like those at the Smithsonian, and practical knowledge of firearm operation.

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