Oelke said he makes periodic visits to Saipan to check the condition of the exhibits.
“Part of my job is to see to it that the exhibits and artifacts are kept in perfect condition at all times,” he added.
The display cabinets that house special exhibits may look ordinary, but Oelke said each is especially sealed for total protection. Beneath each showcase is a special cylinder that absorbs all the moisture so it will not reach any of the exhibits.
Temperature and humidity monitors are also in place.
Oelke said the room temperature must be maintained from 65 to 80 degrees, and the humidity from 40 to 60 percent to protect the artifacts and exhibits.
He said because they need to protect some of the artifacts, some of the items on exhibit such as documents and maps are reproductions.
“If we expose these artifacts like the maps and documents outside, they will be discolored and damaged so we have to come up with replicas but the originals are housed at the War in the Pacific National Historical Park on Guam,” Oelke added.
“If I do my job well, 500 years from now, these artifacts and exhibits will still be in place and future generations can still view them and read the documents and learn all about the history of the islands,” Oelke said.
