ABSTRACT
Virtual museums are no longer just a vision of the future. Some have materialized and coexist with the traditional museums on all inhabited continents. Although their novelty is losing its appeal it is likely that more virtual museums will be developed in the future (Virtual Museum of Canada, www.virtualmuseum.ca). From a preservation point of view, virtual museums provide access for a wider audience, lowering the request for handling the original objects. However, it is generally accepted that traditional, tangible artifacts will never be completely replaced by interactive displays and virtual exhibits (K. McLean, unpublished lecture, Smithsonian Institution, May 24, 2008). Why is seeing the real thing still vital? It seems that many viewers value the contact with original objects. Some believe that this experience brings them closer to the very core of what the object represents; it connects the viewer with history and happenings of the past. Therefore the majority of museums are still faced with the reality of dealing with actual, material collections. Some of these realities, particularly concerning preservation of artifacts in a context of their display and storage, are the focus of this chapter.
