Tickets purchased for our special exhibits provide much-needed funds to maintain our free exhibits.
In several of our exhibits and display cases, we utilize fiber optic lighting to provide cool, UV-free light for areas containing objects susceptible to fading or heat damage.
Prior to our March 2020 public closure, our exhibit technician tackled a large lighting project: removing and replacing incandescent fiber optic illuminators with energy-saving LED illuminators. Although we refurbished aging fixtures for many years, display lighting was failing in several areas. The new LED fixtures provide a brighter light, providing the same color temperature and non-UV cool light to our artifact displays
These displays are lit using fiber optics— improving the quality of light, visibility and color of the display while ensuring the objects remain safe. Florida Museum photo by Dale Johnson
These displays are lit using fiber optics— improving the quality of light, visibility and color of the display while ensuring the objects remain safe. Florida Museum photo by Dale Johnson
Positive impacts are also behind the scenes: LED illuminators produce more light while drawing less power. This enables us to improve lighting levels in several areas where it had seriously declined due to aging technology.
You can see a major difference in our cave exhibit where the old illuminators were no longer adequately lighting the amazing cave structures and features.
This image shows the cave exhibit after installation of new illuminators. The improved light levels allow visitors to see cave structures and features that had been in the dark for several years due to declining performance of the old fixtures. Florida Museum photo by Dale Johnson
These illuminators removed from exhibits are about 20 years old. We will recycle the aluminum housing and other parts as we are able. Our technician rebuilt and refurbished these fixtures for many years, however it was time to replace them with improved technology. Florida Museum photo by Dale Johnson
Each bright fiber coming out of the fixture provides a point of light within the display. These fibers have a transparent glass or plastic core that can carry light several feet in distance. The fibers transmit light without any damaging heat or ultraviolet wavelengths. Florida Museum photo by Dale Johnson
Backstage View: This is one of the new LED illuminators installed behind the scenes. The illuminators are typically placed outside of display cases and are not visible from within the exhibit space. Florida Museum photo by Dale Johnson
These LED illuminators do not produce or transmit UV light or the heat of traditional incandescent fixtures. Florida Museum photo by Dale Johnson
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