Moving Your Historical Artifacts

With only one authentic artifact in existence, finding the right moving company is paramount when it's time to move a display or your business's precious belongings. It's a difficult choice finding the right company when so much is on the line, but it is a much safer way to take them on the road.

Here, we'll examine some special requests artifact owners can make and the best way that a moving company can help you.

Museums

Though many large museums have collections with a guarded security detail, this is beyond what smaller museums can manage in their budget. For local events, especially local cultural events of importance, museums may bring out their artifacts to show to the public. This not only drums up attendance for their museum, but it encourages an atmosphere of learning and excitement about the indigenous culture as well.

Smaller museums that require assistance moving their collection around should request fragile packaging for all items. Also, be sure to photograph each piece prior to packaging for your own records.

Scientific Exhibits

Schools that study a lot of historical scientific content often find that it likes to travel. That means finding someone competent and willing to drag around printing contraptions from over a hundred years ago, or delicate pieces of refined art.

This can be a very nerve-wracking job. Like so many of the museums above, there is usually only a single version of the artifact being moved.

Scientific exhibits should be moved in air-tight packaging, which is usually available at request. Plastic and paper are typically available for most standard-sized boxes that the moving company would use.

Keep in mind very large pieces may need some advanced notice.

Medical Props

For those with historical medical props, be they old manners of treating illness and medicating or skeletal remains, a moving company has to be ready with a wide variety of boxes and containers for this project. That means contacting them early on.

While this isn't precisely a special request, many moving companies will need to get special permission to move human or animal remains. Or, they may need time to find the perfect fit for large or metal items, or those with residues that are somewhat concerning.

The trick is to set things up ASAP so you can discuss all the details.

Potentially Hazardous Materials

There are thousands of different ways historical artifacts may be hazardous to the modern mover. Though many moving companies won't blink at working with dangerous substances, they do need time to prepare to do so.

They need knowledge of what to bring, what to wear, and what the risk involved is. The lead paint from older paintings is often no cause for alarm. However, moving collections of blades can be quite dangerous—especially when no one has a history of their cleanliness.

Again, you need to give your moving company time to prepare and any important guidelines or details. They'll be happy to suit them to a T.

Other Sensitive Pieces

Unfortunately, time makes a mockery of us all. Rust, decomposition, and other perils occur with many historical artifacts. If you are shipping a piece of history that is in poor shape, speak to the moving company about your options.

You may be able to airlock the item or place it in an extra-protective coating during its movement to help keep it safe and slow down the decomposing process. Movers are happy to talk about their options to keep your items in top shape when you pack them.