Castle Partial Evacuation: Toxic Gas Incident at Wilhelmshöhe Castle
In an unexpected turn of events, a degradation process affecting around 70-year-old cellulose film reels occurred at the Hessian State Museum's archive in the church wing of Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe. This incident, which came to light on Friday, has prompted immediate action and a series of measures to ensure the safety and preservation of the affected historical documents.
Upon discovery, the affected film reels were swiftly moved to a ventilated room for initial containment. To prevent any potential hazards, the affected area was evacuated and is currently under the supervision of the occupational safety office, awaiting clearance before reopening.
To manage the situation, fire protection was on-site, ready to extinguish the films if they were to spontaneously ignite. As a precaution, part of the castle in Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe was also evacuated.
The degraded film reels were then carefully removed from the archive and relocated to cooled containers on the premises of a logistics company in Baunatal. The aim is to halt the degradation process at this location. It is important to note that these films will not return to the archive after being digitized, ensuring their preservation for future generations.
The museum itself remained open, contrary to initial reports from the fire department. However, six card cabinets containing image material were impacted by the incident, raising concerns about the potential loss or damage of historical documents from the museum's image and sound archive.
Two employees were temporarily treated medically due to slight numbness on the tongue, a potential side effect of the degradation process. As a precaution, the fire department began to re-equip their vehicles with breathing apparatus and protective clothing in the evening.
The responsible Minister of Culture and Science has promised a review of protective measures for Hessian institutions in response to this incident. This review is expected to provide insights and recommendations for the future safety and preservation of valuable historical materials.
While the specific documents affected by this incident are not yet explicitly identified, it is important to note that cellulose film degradation generally refers to the deterioration of cellulose nitrate or acetate films used historically for photographic or archival purposes. This process can lead to loss or damage of materials stored on or with these films.
For detailed information on this event and the specific historical documents affected, it is recommended to consult official museum reports or publications directly related to the Hessian State Museum or archival conservation incidents at Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe.
In light of the museum's health and wellness concerns, two employees received medical attention due to potential side effects from the degradation process. To bolster future health and wellness measures, the responsible Minister of Culture and Science has pledged a review of protective measures for Hessian institutions, with a focus on the science of preserving historical materials.
