Bringing Old Taxidermy Back: A Guide to Practical Preservation

Key Concepts and Background

The focus often falls on specimens from significant historical sites, such as the William Floyd Estate, part of the Fire Island National Seashore. This particular estate belonged to William Floyd, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and remained in his family for eight generations. A later William Floyd, a great-great-grandson, pursued interests as an amateur naturalist and hunter. This individual not only hunted for sustenance but also meticulously prepared taxidermy specimens for display and research, reflecting a common practice among amateur naturalists of his era.

It is important to recognize the distinction between professional museum taxidermy, such as the lifelike creations of Carl Akeley, and the work of hobbyists. Amateur mounts sometimes exhibited anthropomorphic characteristics, like baring teeth, which was a stylistic choice of the time, meant to convey ferocity or the hunter's triumph. However, this artistic choice often causes preservation challenges, as teeth are susceptible to cracking and splitting due to environmental moisture fluctuations.

Restoring the Past: The Fox Specimen

One notable piece in the collection is a fox mounted by William Floyd in 1908. This particular fox was roadkill, making it what is now considered “ethical taxidermy” as it was not hunted for the purpose of mounting. Its origin story, involving a neighbor who accidentally ran it over with an early automobile, adds a unique historical anecdote to its scientific and cultural value.

Unlike modern natural history museum pieces meant to perfectly replicate a living animal, the conservation of this collection aims to restore the mounts to their 1908 appearance, preserving William Floyd's original work and the cultural context. This means accepting the historical aesthetic rather than striving for perfect anatomical realism.

The Cleaning Process: Unveiling Hidden Vibrancy

Initial restoration efforts begin with thorough cleaning. Conservators use soft-bristle artist brushes, including fan brushes, which allow for simultaneous cleaning and grooming of the fur. For more stable hair, very mild detergents mixed with water are carefully applied, followed by grooming with a hair dryer on a cool setting. This prevents the hair from curling as it dries. This meticulous cleaning has a surprising effect; removing years of accumulated dust, particularly sooty dust from historic fireplaces, significantly brightens the fur, revealing its original vibrant red hues and whiter undertones that were previously obscured. This alone can dramatically improve the specimen's appearance, making it look healthier and more appealing.

Color Restoration: Bringing Back the Original Shade

Even after cleaning, over a century of light exposure can cause natural fading. For this, conservators employ specialized techniques, such as airbrushing metal complex dyes like Orosol. These dyes, originally developed for printing ink, are mixed with a solvent without binders, allowing for controlled color application that can be retreated if needed. This method helps restore the original reds and darken areas like the fox's nose, which had faded from black to dark brown. When attempting to lighten fur, the challenge increases as there are no white dyes in this category. Conservators might use powdered pigments like calcium carbonates or pan pastels, gently worked into the hairs, but these are not permanent and require reapplication after routine cleaning.

Defending Against Decay: Pests and Poisons

Taxidermy is highly susceptible to pest infestations. Common culprits include dermested beetles (like odd beetles and carpet beetles) and clothes moths. It is not the adult insects but their larvae that cause the damage, feeding at the base of the hair or skin. Recognizing the signs, such as patches of hair loss, downy feathers falling out, or the translucent shed skins of larvae, is crucial for early intervention.

Historically, taxidermists combated these pests by incorporating arsenic into their mounts, often as “arsenical soap.” This mixture, applied to the inside of the animal's skin before mounting, acted as a residual pesticide, largely responsible for the survival of many antique taxidermy pieces. While effective against pests, arsenic is a heavy metal and a toxic substance. For anyone handling older taxidermy, safety is paramount. Always wear non-cotton gloves to create a physical barrier and wash hands thoroughly before eating to prevent ingestion. When properly managed, old taxidermy with arsenic can safely remain on display.

Mending and Rebuilding: Hair Fills and Structural Support

When pest damage or age results in hair loss, precise methods are used for restoration. Conservators sometimes source hair from other animals, such as cowhide, which can be dyed to match the original. A technique involves transferring hair onto a thin piece of Japanese paper coated with a flexible, inert acrylic emulsion adhesive. This allows for small sections of hair to be carefully cut, applied to the paper, and then bonded to the specimen using a heat spatula. For delicate areas like the face, individual hairs might be meticulously attached, a slow but necessary process to maintain aesthetic integrity. The goal is to create a fill that seamlessly blends in, avoiding any unnatural bumps or disruptions to the hair pattern, which can immediately break the illusion of realism.

Structural issues, especially in older pieces, pose significant challenges. The fox mount, for instance, showed severe corrosion of its internal metal armature, likely due to the humid, salty environment of Fire Island. This corrosion caused the surrounding plaster to “spall” or crumble, creating instability. Replacing the armature would be too invasive, risking further damage to the brittle, aged skin. Instead, conservators focus on cleaning away accessible corrosion and reconstructing damaged areas with inert, conservation-grade materials, aiming to extend the mount's life for many more generations without compromising its original integrity.

Even seemingly minor features like ears require careful attention. The fox's ears, despite their pristine appearance after cleaning, could have been susceptible to damage. Larger mammal taxidermy often includes internal ear liners made from materials like papier-mâché, clay, or even lead. While lead liners keep ears perky, they can corrode and become hazardous if exposed, reinforcing the “don't lick it” rule for historical pieces. Common issues like splitting ears, thankfully, were not present in this fox. The tail, another fragile point due to internal wiring, also required attention to its corroded metal components.

Implications for Home Preservation

The principles of museum conservation can be scaled down for home use. The most critical step is environmental control. Keeping taxidermy in a stable, clean environment, free from excessive humidity, dust, and direct sunlight, will greatly extend its lifespan. Regular, gentle dusting with a soft brush is a practical measure everyone can adopt. Sealing windows, vacuuming floors, and using HVAC filters all contribute to a cleaner, more stable atmosphere. While advanced repairs require professional expertise, understanding these fundamental care practices can prevent significant damage and preserve cherished pieces for years to come.

Conclusion: The Enduring Value of Preserved Taxidermy

The conservation work at places like the National Parks Museum Conservation Lab is more than just repair; it is about preserving history, culture, and scientific data. Each restored piece, like William Floyd's fox, serves as a tangible link to the past, reflecting both the natural world and human interaction with it. By appreciating the challenges and techniques involved in taxidermy conservation, anyone can gain a deeper respect for these unique artifacts and apply basic care principles to their own collections, ensuring that these fascinating glimpses into history continue to inspire for generations to come.