Pegasus Bridge Museum near Caen

[Whickerman]

Just returned from a visit to the D-Day sites in Normandy, awe inspiring stuff. My question is in relation to the Pegasus Bridge Museum and Memorial - one of the best exhibitions, but I felt that the use of original letters and telegrams was a bit off. Not the content - they are great documents - but the fact that the ones on display are basically blu-tacked behind perspex and are already fading due to light damage. Surely a photocopy would suffice? Also, book of letters in laminates - as has been pointed out here there's no history yet of how paper will react over long periods of time in laminate. So my question is should these original documents be on show? They're irreplacable

[Octavius]

But if they could be replaced with photocpies (now or in the future), then they are virtually replaceable aren't they?

[Whickerman]

I know your response was tongue in cheek, but there's a serious point here - these were letters to mothers, wives etc from servicemen in action; then the telegrams to those same wives and mothers to tell them their men had been killed, and the subsequent letter from their commanders to the families.
Once they're gone, then no, they cannot be replaced or reproduced.

[vehelpfulguy]

I visit a lot of National Trust properties (old houses etc) and they are very aware of the damage light can have on furniture, carpets, paper and other materials.

Many rooms have thick curtains that are closed when the house is not being used, and light levels are also kept low.

Flash photography is also not allowed.

You are right to be concerned, maybe you could write to the museum asking what plans they have to protect the exhibits.

[Whickerman]

Hi vehelpfulguy

I've actually just emailed them - I pointed out that the exhibition is one of the finest, genuinely is btw, and asked them to consider the use of copies.

[naomi24]

Yes, you are right to be concerned Whicker. Even if these are personal letters, they are historical documents recording the thoughts and feelings people during a very important period of history, and they should be treated with the utmost care. If the museum authorities can't display the documents in an appropriate way, then they should use copies. Let us know how you get on, will you?

(Incidentally, some years ago, I visited the Normandy beaches on the anniversary of D-Day. Very moving - and something I'll never forget).

[Octavius]

Given the relatively recent time frame, there should be no real reason with current technical abilities, why these documents could not be reproduced precisely as the originals (hand written, same paper etc).

I concede that I would be concerned if it was something personal that I had donated to the exhibition and they were not protecting its integrity.

[Lil O'lady]

You are right to be concerned Whickerman. Sadly, it comes down to the ownership and governance of that actual museum - if it is effectively a business and not concerned about the long-term preservation of artefacts it may be that they simply don't care about the consequences of poor storage and display.

[Whickerman]

Hi all - had a response from the museum.

The books of laminates are copies thankfully, so that's one part that's a relief.
They claim that the ones in display cabinets are 'protected', and aren't suffering any damage, and that they've been there for several years. Personally I disagree, they look faded etc, but not sure what else can be done.