Artifacts destroyed in Salo, Finland due to inadequate storage conditions

Historical museum artifacts have been destroyed in Salo, Finland, due to inadequate storage conditions. Discussions about constructing a communal storage facility for museum collections have been ongoing. Currently, items from the Salo Historical Museum are stored in 39 different locations across the city, with the Salo Art Museum’s collection similarly scattered. Most of these storage spaces are unsuitable for preserving museum objects, as highlighted in a report presented to Salo’s recreational board. Some storage areas have been found to be infested with mice, bats, or pests, and issues such as leaking or collapsing roofs and the lack of heating are also present.

The report notes instances of mold growing on storage floors and a tractor being stored among museum artifacts. Susanna Luojus, director of the Salo Historical Museum, confirmed that some artifacts have been lost, primarily due to being stored in old agricultural buildings that allow for pest infestations.

Museum law mandates that collections be stored under appropriate conditions, as proper circumstances are a prerequisite for receiving government funding. The city of Salo received about 250,000 euros in state funding this year. Pirjo Hamari, a development director with the National Board of Museums, stated that while museums generally manage their collections well, there is room for improvement, and ideally, collections should never be stored in areas with pests.

To address these storage issues, constructing a communal storage facility for museum collections is being proposed. The estimated cost for such a facility is around 5.3 million euros. A decision on the project plan will be made by Salo’s recreational board soon. Luojus emphasized the importance of preserving local cultural heritage by transferring artifacts to more suitable facilities.