Cultural Object Stores

Dilly bags from the WA Museum Anthropology collection

Dilly bags from the WA Museum Anthropology collection
Image copyright WA Museum 

Image from the online collection Intertwined, featuring basketry from the Western Australian Museum Anthropology collection.

A report is now available detailing a project carried out to ascertain current cultural object stores requirements. The report is co-authored by Greg Wallace and Kim Akerman and is entitled For now and forever: An analysis of current and emerging needs for Aboriginal cultural stores and repositories in Western Australia

Basic cultural stores for holding items will not have museum environments but rather will serve the Custodians' own protocols and procedures and provide the required level of shelter and security.

Types of storage
  • Robust, weatherproof, portable containers
  • Sea containers or thermal containers
  • Sheds
  • Purpose Built Structures

For small items - robust, weatherproof, portable containers such as ammunition boxes are suitable and come in various sizes.  They may be available from disposal or camping stores or an approach could be made to any local industry that may have suitable containers surplus to their requirements.

Sheds, Sea containers or thermal containers (used for refrigerated or frozen loads and have thicker insulation in the walls) can be adapted for various uses and are a good storage option.

  • Minimise exposure to direct sunlight by use of orientation and shade.
  • If erecting a shade or shelter over the container ensure roof is high enough to allow free air flow.
  • Consider painting container with heat reflective paint but weigh up whether or not this will make the store more conspicuous or more difficult to secrete.
  • Airflow is important in tropical climates to reduce the chance of fungal attack, mould and mildew. Vermin-proofed air vents required.
  • Metal shelving should be used to keep items out of reach of insects.
  • Environmental monitoring programs will need to be put in place.
Site preparation

Some points to consider regarding site preparation include:

  • Site should be level with good drainage so water flows away quickly
  • To minimise risk of flooding, site should not be located next to creeks, rivers or stormwater drains and if near the coast should be located well clear of the storm surge zone
  • Site should be thoroughly inspected for evidence of pests, especially termites, and may require treatment and regular monitoring
  • Site should be kept free of vegetation and ideally surrounding area should be paved or concreted

Sheds and sea containers may need to comply with local govt regulations so check for compliance requirements eg may require being designed to withstand cyclonic wind conditions. (Some LGA’s provide free designs for sheds that comply with local regulations).

In some cases a purpose-built structure more substantial than a simple shed or an adapted sea container may be required to provide a suitable environment to preserve objects in the long term. Often such cultural storage designs require very real environmental issues to be addressed and there is a need for innovative design solutions in order to achieve a sustainable building. The structure may also be required to accommodate other roles and there is a need for functional planning in these situations.