Discover how specialist bespoke museum display cases protect and present geological collections, with insights from our project work at AMNH’s Hall of Gems and Minerals.
Few collections tell a story quite as historic and complex as geology; geological collections offer a fascinating insight into the natural formations that have (literally) shaped the Earth as we know it. Minerals created deep under the Earth’s surface, rare gems, and wonderfully weird rock formations all tell a story pertaining to the billions of years of the Earth’s very existence. It goes without saying – these collections deserve museum-grade display cases worthy of their contents. Geology exhibits must balance presentation, conservation, security, and environmental control while allowing museum visitors to fully appreciate each specimen.
At Click Netherfield, we’re well-versed in designing and manufacturing bespoke display cases for natural history collections. Our work on the Allison and Roberto Mignone Hall of Gems and Minerals at the American Natural History Museum in New York City demonstrates our full comprehension of the specialist collections care involved in displaying such precious artefacts. The Hall of Gems and Minerals at AMNH boasts 5000 mineral specimens from ninety-eight different countries, telling the story of how this vast diversity of mineral species originated on our planet, how they are classified and studied, and how they are used.
In 2019, we were commissioned with the design-engineering, manufacture and installation of sixty-eight showcases for the renovated gallery; we worked closely with the client team, and with Kubik Maltbie who provided the fit out, as well as other specialist contractors to ensure that this project was a success. Each case had to contribute to the long-term protection of the specimens while providing visitors with clear and engaging views of their colour, form, texture and crystalline structures.
A range of conservation challenges can be presented when working with mineral collections – crystals and delicate formations can be easily damaged, and certain objects can be environmentally sensitive. Geological specimen conservation therefore needs to be considered from the beginning – and entrusting a renowned museum showcase manufacturer forms an imperative part of this process.
The materials used within a display case, the quality of its seals, environmental performance, lighting and the actual construction and installation of the cases can all influence the conditions surrounding an object. A well-designed showcase creates a carefully considered microenvironment, helping to protect the artefacts within while reducing the risk of long-term deterioration. For the AMNH project, conservation requirements were integrated into the showcase design alongside the visual demands of the exhibition. Security was also a fundamental part of the design of these bespoke display cases, which were engineered to provide robust protection while maintaining the visual openness required for a major public gallery.
The physical environment surrounding a museum collection can present its own challenges; the American Museum of Natural History is located in Manhattan, close to the city’s subway network. This made vibration control an important consideration for our work at the Hall of Gems and Minerals. Vibration testing was undertaken using representative specimens to assess the performance of the showcase design against the conditions within the gallery. This helped ensure that the completed cases could provide the required level of protection for the collection.
A display case manufactured for a geological collection needs to be structurally secure and environmentally sound, while seamlessly forming part of the visual experience of the exhibition; this is why choosing the right specialist showcase manufacturer makes a difference. At Click Netherfield, we combine conservation expertise, precision engineering and bespoke design to create display cases that protect collections while enhancing their presentation. Our work at the American Museum of Natural History demonstrates our ability to deliver complex showcase solutions for geological and natural history collections at an international scale.
Every project relies on a full understanding of the objects involved, and the result is a showcase designed not simply to contain a collection, but to bring its story to life.
- Kaya Callander, Marketing Executive